Episode 35: The Freedom to Learn & Play During Childhood with Peter Gray
In this week’s episode, I am beyond excited to sit down and have an inspiring conversation with psychologist, Peter Gray. He is the author of one of the most recommended books on this podcast, “Free to Learn.” He is a researcher and advocate for self-directed education, our natural need for play and trusting our children.
This episode is so jam-packed with the most incredible insights, wisdom, knowledge, experience and studies on child development and learning. Peter shares his own journey that led him down this path.
We also discuss:
* The harm of standardised testing, and who is actually benefiting from it (note it is definitely not children or teachers)
* How the current education system is destroying our creativity
* The detrimental effect of reducing playtime for children at school
* Why children are biological designed to play, and to learn through play
* The harm of early academic on children and why we need to ditch “school readiness” and preschool “programs”
* Plus so much more
Where to Find Peter:
Website: petergray.org
The Alliance of Self-Directed Education
Facebook: Peter Gray
Freedom to Learn blog on Psychology Today
Resources Mentioned:
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy
ABOUT PETER:
Peter Gray is an American psychology researcher and scholar. He is a research professor of psychology at Boston College, and the author of an introductory psychology textbook. He is known for his work on the interaction between education and play, and for his evolutionary perspective on psychology theory. He’s most well known book “Free to Learn” has made a positive impact on self-directed education, and he has collections of essays available in four separate books. His recent research focuses on the roles of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. His research findings have led him to become an advocate of Self-Directed Education. He is a founding member and president of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education.
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.
Episode 25: The Importance of Play & Nature During Childhood with Angela Hanscom
I absolutely loved this beautiful conversation with Angela Hanscom. Angela is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and the founder of TimberNook a developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity including one here in Australia. Angela also has a highly viewed TEDx Talk and is the author of one of my all-time favourite books, Balanced and Barefoot.
Angela shares her story as an Occupational Therapist and the creation of TimberNook.
We then discuss:
- The harm children are experiencing from reduced unstructured outdoor time
- Adults as a barrier to children’s neurological development and why adults need to step back when children play
- Why staging children’s learning is detrimental to their development
- Nature being superior to man-made playgrounds and organised sports
- Play is where children learn and work through traumas
- How play can help children who experience sensory issues
- Plus so much more
Where to Find Angela
TimberNook Website
TimberNook on Facebook
Resources
Balanced & Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom
Angela’s TEDx Talk
Free to Learn by Peter Gray
ABOUT ANGELA
Angela J. Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She is the author of Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children. Hanscom is also a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and in 2019 won a Small Business of the year award for the State of New Hampshire.
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, so these inspiring conversations can reach more people.
Episode 18: Choosing Homeschooling or Schooling for Your Child
In this week’s episode I go solo for the first time since episode 1 and share my journey of homeschooling and sending my own child to school.
I discuss when and how I decided to homeschool my children, some traumatic incidences we have experienced when sending my eldest child to school and the approach we use for homeschooling.
I chat about how my eldest son has started back at school, after over 2 years of homeschooling, and how my youngest son is still homeschooled.
I also share how we chose my eldest child’s schools and what we were looking for in order for him to experience the best support to meet his needs.
As parents, we really do need a village, of our own choosing, to truly thrive and ensure everyone’s needs are met. No matter what we choose for each of our children, it is so important to remove the judgment we feel towards ourselves and others because it is a hard journey, and we are all doing the best we can in any given moment.
Where You Can Find Me:
Website: https://spiritedhearts.net/
Instagram: @spirited_hearts
ABOUT STEPH:
Steph is the founder of Spirited Hearts™ with Steph Fleeton; Spirited Hearts™ Natural Learning Haven, Mamas Sacred Circle® and this beautiful podcast.
She is a Holistic Childhood Mentor, Early Childhood Educator, Parent Support Counsellor, Aware Parenting Instructor and Circle Facilitator.
Steph is a Mum to 2 boys; the eldest is in school and the younger is homeschooled.
She has always had a passion for psychology and counselling. However, it wasn’t until she had my first son in 2013 that she realised her niche passion was in assisting parents and children to live their best lives. She delved deeply into Aware Parenting, Unconditional Parenting, Conscious Parenting and Playful Parenting and the philosophies and practices resonated deeply.
Steph first started her Family Day Care in Canberra at the beginning of 2015, alongside her husband. Now, based in QLD and an Independent Natural Learning Haven for children aged 1-8 years old. Providing community and a sense of belonging for homeschooled children over 5 years old, and a natural learning, play-based environment for younger children to learn about themselves and the world. With a strong focus on meeting each individual child’s needs in an emotional supportive and caring environment, with many adventures and investigations into life along the way.