The Importance of Free Play | Dr. Peter Gray

Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor at Boston College, is author of Free to Learn (Basic Books) and Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 8th edition). He has conducted and published research in comparative, evolutionary, developmental, and educational psychology. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focuses primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the lifelong value of play. His own play includes not only his research and writing, but also long-distance bicycling, kayaking, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.

Table of Contents

0:00 - Intro

2:53 - Growing up

10:54 - What led you to being interested in free play?

23:30 - How rapidly has children’s play declined recently?

32:36 - Work with Lenore Skenazy

33:59 - Where is the happy medium of play with regards to safety?

38:20 - Discussion of the ideas and work of Dr. Michael Hynes, about free play in schools

43:07 - Examples of free play in sports, and what kids want

50:07 - Characteristics to have as coaches or teachers

55:03 - Impact of screen time on free play

1:01:51 - Shouldn’t 2-5 year old kids be playing outside instead of on screens?

1:06:10 - Are perceptions of danger a result of social media?

1:09:35 - Top book recommendations

1:10:43 - Emphasizing fun and free play to parents and coaches

1:13:20 - Street hockey ban in Nova Scotia

1:14:50 - Resources

1:18:00 - Age that kids can go out