Professor Peter Gray discusses the essence of play, emphasizing intrinsic enjoyment over rewards. He explores the evolving role of parents in play supervision and the benefits of structured play. The podcast also touches on skincare benefits, roughhousing, and the evolutionary significance of play in child development and adult life.

Dr. Aliza sits down with Professor Peter Gray to discuss the healthiest approaches to play, and potential mistakes commonly made by well-meaning parents.   Show Notes: Psychology Today blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/freedom-learn   www.Uprisingfood.com/HUMANS for $10 off your first purchase of the starter bundle. www.MZWallace.com/humans for 15% off your first purchase. www.Talkspace.com with code HUMANS for $100 off your first month.   Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peter Gray, author of Psychology and Free to Learn, discusses the decline of play in children's lives, the impact of intensive schooling, the importance of play in education, the debate between play and work in Montessori education, the effects of online play on children, and the value of low-stakes environments for children's growth.

Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College and expert in evolutionary psychology, delves into the philosophy of unschooling. He critiques conventional education, advocating for self-directed learning that promotes creativity and happiness. The importance of community-driven play and mixed-age interactions is highlighted, emphasizing their role in social development. Gray also discusses the democratic structures within unschooling environments and shares insights from his upcoming book on innovative educational models. This thought-provoking conversation redefines how we view learning.

In this engaging discussion, Peter Gray, an acclaimed psychologist and play expert, reveals the crucial role of play in child development. He argues that play is often more beneficial than formal education. Hear about how all mammals are wired to play and its importance in fostering resilience and courage. Gray highlights the unique ways children acquire language through peer interaction and emphasizes that skills learned through play are foundational for creativity and critical thinking. A must-listen for parents and educators!