August 28, 2025


With the expansion of transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds, California schools need smaller toilets, smaller sinks and a whole new understanding of the importance of play in the classroom. Think Play-Doh, finger painting, make-believe and dress-up. Some 4-year-olds also need help going to the bathroom and wiping afterward.

But teachers — and principals — are not always educated about these aspects of early education, making the rollout of TK somewhat bumpy. In this episode, a TK teacher and our reporters discuss some of the challenges to making sure every California school is offering a high-quality early education tailored to 4-year-olds’ developmental needs.

Guests:

  • Elyse Doerflinger, TK Teacher, Woodlake Unified School District
  • Lasherica Thornton, Reporter, EdSource

Read more from EdSource: Play, potties, preschool: TK for all

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.

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