Bragg Financial Acts Fast to Help Bring Play-based Learning to CMS

Updated September 9, 2026

What began as a promising pilot is already making a meaningful difference in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). This fall, nine elementary schools launched play-based learning in their kindergarten classrooms, and the response from students, families, and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Educators report that children are highly engaged during their daily hour of play, building social, emotional, and academic skills through hands-on learning experiences.

Encouraged by this early success, K Needs Play and its partners are continuing to advocate for the expansion of play-based learning across the district. This fall, advocates will invite CMS school board members to visit participating schools and see the approach firsthand. They also hope to build support for districtwide implementation beginning in fall 2027 and to explore pilot opportunities in first- and second-grade classrooms, where research continues to demonstrate the benefits of play-based learning. Bragg Financial is proud to support efforts that help children thrive and create stronger learning environments for students throughout our community.

June 15, 2026—Facing a July 1 fundraising deadline, Bragg Financial has partnered with community initiative K Needs Play to help restore play-based learning to a small trial of kindergarten classrooms across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in the fall of 2026.

Research consistently shows that play-based learning fosters critical skills tied to long-term academic success, including executive function, emotional self-regulation, and collaborative problem-solving. After discovering the absence of guided play materials in her daughter’s future kindergarten classroom, elementary educator Mollie Auerbach learned that such resources had largely been removed districtwide to accommodate other curricular demands.

In response, Auerbach launched K Needs Play, a grassroots effort advocating for one hour of daily, screen-free, play-based choice time in kindergarten classrooms. Coverage in local outlets like The Charlotte Ledger helped build momentum, and CMS approved a pilot program in 45 classrooms beginning in Fall 2026.

K Needs Play will fund the initial rollout, with CMS planning to expand the program to all 104 elementary schools in future years. Funds must be raised by July 1 to ensure that supplies can be purchased and teachers trained before school starts on August 25.

Bragg Financial will sponsor one classroom. Additionally, the firm will match up to $75,000 in donations, with Bill Crowder of Crowder Constructors doing the same.

“We feel so fortunate to be part of this particular community and are committed to seeing our children and families thrive for the good of us all.”

 —Bragg Financial’s Community Engagement Team

Tax-deductible contributions can be made through Foundation for the Carolinas:

• $400 supports one teacher’s summer training.
• $2,000 funds training for an entire kindergarten team.
• $5,000 equips an entire classroom.
• $25,000 covers an entire school.

Learn more at kneedsplay.org and consider supporting this important effort.

​