Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health

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.

Episoder(483)

Reducing Absences, Capturing School Days

Reducing Absences, Capturing School Days

Todd Rogers, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and also director of the Student Social Support R&D lab, talks about discovering an effective intervention against chronic absenteeism, how to ge...

6 Feb 201920min

From Prison to Ph.D.

From Prison to Ph.D.

Dr. Stanley Andrisse, director of From Prison Cell to Ph.D., shares his story and discusses the school to prison pipeline, and how higher education can remove barriers for formerly incarcerated people...

12 Des 201822min

A Promise for Education

A Promise for Education

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf shares why she has focused so much of her term on education, and particularly the creation of Oakland Promise, which aims to get more kids to acquire postsecondary education...

5 Des 201812min

How Personalized Learning Can Lead to Success

How Personalized Learning Can Lead to Success

Lecturer Todd Rose discusses the importance of personalized learning in the quest for success, and how success will look different in the future.

28 Nov 201821min

Reaching Rural South Africa through Education

Reaching Rural South Africa through Education

Craig Paxton, executive director of Axium Education, shares the work being done to reach the millions of children living in rural communities throughout South Africa and the importance of providing ed...

14 Nov 201811min

The State of Sex Ed in America

The State of Sex Ed in America

Catherine Brown, vice president of education policy at the Center for American Progress, provides insight into sex education standards around the country and the shift to do more.

7 Nov 201813min

The Harvard Trial: Evaluating Fairness in College Admissions

The Harvard Trial: Evaluating Fairness in College Admissions

Natasha Warikoo, an associate professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, discusses the Harvard trial and whether college admissions can ever truly be fair.

31 Okt 201812min

Finding Faith in Education

Finding Faith in Education

Irvin Scott, a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, talks about why faith leaders can be key players in educational outcomes for children.

24 Okt 201817min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
mikkels-paskenotter
treningspodden
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-bisarr-historie
jakt-og-fiskepodden
rss-sunn-okonomi
hverdagspsyken
sinnsyn
ukast
rss-kunsten-a-leve
fryktlos
rss-bak-luftfarten
rss-kull
lederskap-nhhs-podkast-om-ledelse
gravid-uke-for-uke
level-up-med-anniken-binz