Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health
The Harvard EdCast21 Helmi 2024

Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health

In a world increasingly dominated by structured routines and adult supervision, renowned psychologist Peter Gray is not surprised that children’s mental health challenges and anxiety has been on the rise for decades.

“We are so overprotecting children, because we are so always there to solve their problems for them, they're not developing the sense that they can solve their own problem,” Gray says, adding that clinical questionnaires conducted throughout the latter half of the 20th century showed a decline in locus of control for school-aged children as mental disorders rose. “How can you have an internal locus of control if you don't have experience controlling your own life? One thing that clinical psychologists have long known is that if you don't have a strong internal locus of control, that sets you up for anxiety and depression. No surprise. If I believe something can happen at any time, and there's nothing I can do about it, that's a very anxiety-provoking world. Things are frightening. I'm constantly anxious.”

He cites many reasons for how we got to this place, including societal shifts and an education system focused on accountability. Gray, a professor emeritus at Boston College, advocates for the urgent need to reclaim the simple yet profound act of independent play, emphasizing its impact on children's happiness and long-term well-being.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of independent play in fostering resilient, self-reliant, and mentally healthy young individuals.

Jaksot(474)

Madam President

Madam President

Nan Keohane, former president of Duke University and Wellesley College shares her story of leadership and offers insight on how gender has influenced her career.

25 Tammi 201320min

Boys Will Be Boys?

Boys Will Be Boys?

Niobe Way, author of "Deep Secrets: Boys' Friendship and the Crisis of Connections" reveals the intense intimacy among teenage boys during adolescence yet explains as boys become men, they become distrustful, lose these friendships, and feel isolated and alone.

25 Tammi 201310min

Pigskin Pedagogy

Pigskin Pedagogy

Tim Daly, president of TNTP and his brother Brendan Daly, defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings discuss how the teaching profession can learn from fundamentals of the NFL.

25 Tammi 201311min

Giving a Year

Giving a Year

Michael Brown, co-founder and CEO of City Year reflects on how City Year is strengthening human capital through a year of national service in the education sector.

25 Tammi 201315min

The Core Problem

The Core Problem

Richard Murnane, professor of education at HGSE shares new research on how family income affects education equality.

25 Tammi 201312min

Teaching 9/11

Teaching 9/11

Meira Levinson, political philosopher at HGSE reflects on the challenges of teaching 9/11 in the classroom and how to explain these events as both a mother or teacher to children born after September 12th.

25 Tammi 201319min

On the Education Beat

On the Education Beat

In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, John Merrow, education correspondent for The PBS NewsHour and president of Learning Matters discusses education reporting, the influence of teachers, and changes in over 35 years covering education in the media.

25 Tammi 201315min

Eight Decades of Education

Eight Decades of Education

In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Mel King, educator and founder of the South End Technology Center shares his thoughts, wisdom, and perspective on education over eight decades in the South End of Boston.

25 Tammi 201313min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-valo-minussa-2
psykologia
adhd-podi
rss-narsisti
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-niinku-asia-on
kesken
salainen-paivakirja
rahapuhetta
ihminen-tavattavissa-tommy-hellsten-instituutti
rss-uskonto-on-tylsaa
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-luonnollinen-synnytys-podcast
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
aamukahvilla
rss-psykalab
rss-laadukasta-ensihoitoa