Dr Jacqueline Harding and Lourdes Kerr on The Brain That Loves To Play

As an international child development and education expert, Dr Jacqueline Harding is recognised for her work advising the UK government, practitioners and parents. She is an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow at Middlesex University. Jacqueline is chair of the Bright
Start Foundation. She also represented the UK in developing essential digital criteria and establishing best practice for broadcasters, parents and teachers across Europe. Jacqueline was privileged to pioneer and manage the http://Parentchannel.tv platform for the UK
government – a groundbreaking film-based resource for parents and practitioners.

She continues to work on children’s TV shows, such as Peter Rabbit, Teletubbies, Clangers and Bing and BeddyByes and is a contributor to CBeebies Parenting – a new dedicated site for parents.

Dr Harding is a frequent speaker in the media and author of best-selling books for parents, practitioners and children. Her latest book is called The Brain that Loves to Play, which continues to attract substantial media interest.

In 2026, her much anticipated books about Laughter and another concerning Speech, Language and Communication with
accompanying children’s books will be published. She is a former BBC Education Editor, Government Consultant, and Headteacher.

Lourdes Kerr is a Lecturer and BA Programme Leader in Childhood Studies at Middlesex University, working within the Higher Education sector. She holds an MSc in Educational Psychology and has recently served as an Area Lead for the Department for Education’s (DfE) Childminder Mentor Programme (2023–24), where she supported childminders across various boroughs. Lourdes is currently in the process of applying for a PhD, with a focus on post-developmental approaches in early childhood education.

It was Lourdes’ nursery where Dr Harding dedicated one chapter of her book: “The Brain that loves to Play, a visual guide to child development, play and brain growth”, as part of an investigation into observing children.

In this insightful session, Dr Harding and Lourdes reveal how understanding neuroscience can completely reshape your approach to supporting children’s development through play. You’ll discover why spontaneous, child-led play is the brain’s preferred learning method, and gain practical strategies for creating environments where children’s natural curiosity drives deep learning and development.

In this episode you’ll:

• Understand how imagination literally changes brain architecture at a molecular level, switching genes on and off
• See real examples of children engaged in deep mathematical thinking through simple water play and ant observation
• Learn why sensory-driven play acts as essential nutrients for developing neural pathways and connections
• Discover the eight senses (not just five) and how outdoor play develops crucial spatial awareness
• Explore how creative activities naturally reduce stress and create optimal conditions for learning

Watch this episode to see how respecting children’s play instincts supports profound learning while building the creative, flexible thinkers our world desperately needs.

Episode Links:

Middlesex University: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/

Dr Harding: https://www.drjacquelineharding.com/

Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/The-Brain-that-Loves-to-Play-A-Visual-Guide-to-Child-Development-Play/Harding/p/book/9781032314396