Recent advances in neuroscience and the learning sciences have transformed our understanding of how people grow and learn. These insights make it clear that, to truly support the whole child, schools and educator preparation programs must evolve. Because learning is shaped by cultural, social, emotional, cognitive, and motivational factors, teachers must be prepared in programs that reflect these realities. When preparation programs model and scaffold deeper learning and equitable practices, they equip future educators to bring whole child teaching to life in PreK–12 classrooms.

This playbook provides a framework to guide efforts to strengthen teacher preparation programs grounded in the science of learning and development. The interactive playbook describes the five design principles that comprise the framework, providing examples from teacher preparation programs that demonstrate the principles. These design principles do not suggest a single design or model for change, but rather illuminate the multiple ways that teacher preparation programs can be designed to support candidates. This playbook is a companion to the K–12 Design Principles for Schools.