In this episode of the Help 100 Schools Podcast, Karl Boehm interviews Elizabeth Fraley, founder and CEO of KinderReady, to discuss how early education is being reshaped—and what private schools must do to stay ahead. With kindergarten now resembling what used to be first grade benchmarks, expectations for young learners are rising fast. Elizabeth brings over a decade of experience supporting schools and families. From shifting math standards to the decline of dramatic play, she shares trends, research and actionable strategies for creating confident learners—without sacrificing what’s developmentally appropriate. What’s Covered: 1. Early Education is Evolving

• Kindergarteners today are expected to master skills once taught in 1st grade. 
• Core subjects like math are now focused on critical thinking, not memorization (think: number bonds, 10-frames). 
• Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of preparing children without overwhelming them. 

• Dramatic play is crucial in preschool for building vocabulary, social skills, and creativity—but it’s nearly absent in modern kindergarten classrooms. 
• Structured academic prep should gently increase during transitional years like pre-K or developmental kindergarten (DK). 
• Schools must balance engagement and readiness.