Book cover of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life

Book description

In Free to Learn , developmental psychologist Peter Gray argues that in order to foster children who will thrive in today's constantly changing world, we must entrust them to steer their own learning and development. Drawing on evidence from anthropology, psychology, and history, he demonstrates that free play is the…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Free to Learn as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

While reading Peter’s book, I was constantly reminded of how important the concept of "Play" is and how vital it is to the development of functioning human beings. Play involves the creative use of time and taking an active role in what happens while playing.

So much of modern education is passive, one-way learning, where the child is supposed to act like a sponge. I know in my heart that this trend needs to be reversed. His book was a big pat on the back as to why I wrote mine so many years ago.

An evolutionary psychologist, Gray argues that human children, like all mammals, learn best through play. He advocates for a learning process that is kid- and play-driven. Using an innovative school as a model, Gray makes a compelling case for revolutionizing education by putting it in the hands of the kids themselves. Even if you can’t send your child to one of these schools, this book will give you many ideas on how to let your kids take charge of their own academic interests and pursuits which will ultimately help them grow up to take better charge of their own lives…

From Sara's list on raising self-reliant children.

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