Free To Learn and PLAY with Dr. Peter Gray
Peter Gray is an American psychologist, author and research professor. He has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education.
His research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books).
He has been a regular contributor to Psychology Today magazine and is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE) and a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.
In This Episode: The Importance Of Free Play
This episode is a re-release of an earlier episode with Peter Gray. (episode 47)
It is such a wonderful and important discussion that I want to make sure it stays accessible.
In this episode we talk about:
- The importance of FREE PLAY
- Self Directed Learning and the key parts of the self directed learning environment
- The lack of free play in our world today and what the absence of it has led to
- Parents Fears around self directed education
Resources
Research studies:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/experts/peter-gray-phd
Observational study Jay Feldman
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED453128
Study of Grown Unschoolers
https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschoolers%20I.pdf
https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/Published%20Grown%20Unschooles%20II.pdf
Brian Sutton Smith
Play Scholar
Play Theory
Democratic Schools
Sudbury Valley School
Peter Gray’s Book
Free To Learn: Why Unleashing The Instinct To Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students For Life
Alliance For Self Directed Education
Let Grow Project
Podcast Sponsor
This episode was brought to you by Fearless Learners by Success Codes
Fearless Learners by SuccessCodes;
Where all children can learn and grow fearless with a Learning Success Coach by their side. Their certified Learning Success coaches make learning easy with their proven holistic coaching methodology which is a unique and superior alternative to tutoring and teaching in all subjects.
All of their coaches are certified teachers as well as certified Learning Success Coaches, who have left the school system to create the ‘right’ environment to provide customized and personalized learning experiences.
*Kohila is offering a FREE 45 minute clarity coaching call to Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids listeners. Just go to learningsuccessacademy.com
Watch From Fear To Fearless, Kohila’s weekly show on Wednesday, 11am Pacific Time at fearlesslearners.live
How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler~ March 24th 2023
Grab your FREE or Full Access Pass ticket (only $37) ~ HOW TO BE AN AWESOME HOMESCHOOLER
The summit is open to all since we are hosting it as an audio only experience on the Clubhouse app. But if you register for your FREE TICKET through the website you also receive our Digital Swag Bag that gives you a ton of resource freebies for parents and kids (like my son’s Science Animal Journal, Kelly Edwards Creating Quiet Time packet, Free Conscious Parenting mini course, Discounts on our favourite books, Kids Entrepreneurship Course, Discounts to online resources and MORE.
If you cannot make the live event, we are also offering a FULL ACCESS package of the recordings, pdfs and post summit community gatherings which include a Movie Screening~ The amazing film MaidenTrip~ and Live Group Q&A and Coaching with Kelly Edwards of 90 Minute School Day and I.
We are able to create this summit and make it accessible because of our wonderful Sponsors. Night ZooKeeper, Learning Success Academy, Erica Kesilman~Conscious Parent Coach, Mel Science, Storitopia, Amanda Schenkenberger~ Homeschool Coach, Honey! I’m Homeschooling The Kids podcast and 90 Minute School Day.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
