[1] She is the author of 14 books and over 200 publications on early childhood and infant development, with a specialty in language and literacy, and playful learning.

Hirsh-Pasek was one of the investigators on the acclaimed National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development,[2] co-authored the language and literacy curricula for the State of California Preschools, and serves as an advisor on the National Institute of Health Toolbox initiative.

She was co-creator of the moral development curricula, An Ethical Start,[3] and speaks widely on ways to translate primary research findings into practice for young children.

She was the past president of the International Congress of Infant Studies[11] and was on the governing board of the Society for Research in Child Development.

[14] Her latest book, Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells Us about Raising Successful Children (2016), was on The New York Times Best Seller List in both education and parenting.