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This is episode 27 and today I’m here with Peter Gray talking about play.
Peter is a research professor of psychology at Boston College and founding board member and president of the alliance for self-directed education. You know him from his Psychology Today blog Freedom to Learn and his incredible book Free to Learn.
Adventure of the Week
I share our adventure at the Pacific Science Center, Great Wolf Lodge, and the Museum of Flight.
Highlights
Unpacking: We explains what we’ve gotten wrong.
Definition: We go over the qualities of real play.
Purpose: We cover the benefits of real play.
Mixed Age Play: We share why mixed age play is so valuable.
Scaffolding: We share what scaffolding looks like and how it’s so valuable.
Equality: We talk about supporting a more advanced level of moral development.
Screens: We explain the best thing parents can do who are concerned about the effects of technology on their children.
Independence: We go over what parents can do to support more independent play.
Lifestyle: Peter leaves us with what ingredients he sees as essential in the lifestyle of a child.
Q & A
I tackle this question from Leah: “How can we help children who haven’t had the opportunity to freely play in the past relearn and redevelop those play skills again. We do know through research that the ability to play and imagine absolutely can disappear if we don’t foster opportunities and environment for it. So, once we become aware, how do we help them relearn the joy?”
Dive Deeper
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Freedom to Learn Psychology Today
Children and Play in the Holocaust
Alliance for Self-Directed Learning
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This interview is everything! I wish every parent and every educator (basically everyone who’s around kids for any reason) would listen to this.
Thank you Lisa! That is high praise and I sure do appreciate you taking the time to share it.