Rae Pica

Rae Pica is an early childhood education consultant, author, and keynote speaker with more than four decades of experience in child development and early learning. A former adjunct instructor at the University of New Hampshire, Pica has focused her career on the belief that young children are active, experiential learners whose developmental needs should inform educational practices.

Pica is the author of 23 books, including the textbook "Experiences in Movement and Music," "What If Everybody Understood Child Development?: Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives," "What If We Taught the Way Children Learn?," "Great Games for Young Children," "Jump into Literacy," and "Spark a Revolution in Early Education: Speaking Up for Ourselves and the Children." Her book "Why Play?" addresses the importance of play in early childhood programs. Throughout her writing, Pica incorporates research in child development, neuroscience, and active learning, challenging common misconceptions such as the idea that earlier is always better or that children learn best while sitting still.

Pica has consulted for organizations including the Sesame Street Research Department, Nickelodeon Blue's Clues, the Head Start Bureau, Centers for Disease Control, President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Nike, Gymboree, and Mattel. She served on the National Association for Sport and Physical Education task force that developed Active Start, the national guidelines for physical activity for children from birth to age five. Pica has contributed to Huffington Post and is a member of the executive committee of the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. She is also the co-founder of BAM Radio Network, a major online education radio network, where she hosted programs such as "Body, Mind and Child," "Teacher's Aid," and "Studentcentricity," interviewing experts in education, play research, and neuroscience.

Pica delivers keynotes and online courses for early childhood professionals, focusing on bridging research and practice to support developmentally appropriate practice and play-based learning environments. Her work in early childhood education, child development, and active learning continues to provide educators with strategies to create engaging and effective classrooms.