Peter Gray - Freedom to Learn

Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor at Boston College, is author of Free to Learn (Basic Books, 2013) and Psychology (Worth Publishers, a college textbook now in its 7th edition). He has conducted and published research in comparative, evolutionary, developmental, and educational psychology. He did his undergraduate study at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in biological sciences at Rockefeller University. His current research and writing focus primarily on children's natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play. His own play includes not only his research and writing, but also long distance bicycling, kayaking, back-woods skiing, and vegetable gardening.

[markrswright]

Excellent video. Our education system in the UK is one of the few aspects of our society that hasn't evolved since the Victorian times. We still have desks in rows; we still have bells and boards; we still have children herded by age or ability; and we still have the educational experience compartmentalised by subject instead of approaching, say, a topic from a variety of different subject angles.

[lyndasysko]

I can't say enough about how important self directed learning has helped me and I am 69 years old! However, I got to that place because I had the drive, the temperament, lots of time to play out my interests as a child and as an adult and probably other attributes you mentioned. This school year I was the primary academic coach for my 8 year old 3rd grade grandson in what is referred to as a blue ribbon school. He was in a remote situation and met by zoom with his teachers and peers daily so there was interaction, direct teaching and some application but definitely not enough play time with peers. This type of learning left us time for rich conversations about concepts the teachers would introduce but not fully explain. If remote learning ever became the absolute norm in our society, given the isolation and distancing we have experienced the past year, I would say a huge turn around in education would occur and self directed learning with huge involvement of family would need to happen to help children find their nitche today. More to say on this matter for sure.

[GuentherJohnny]

Amazing how God has created and designed children to learn.

[ethandenton]

Thank you SO much Dr. Gray. I have been searching for this kind of material ever since I came across John Holt. I will most likely be reading your books now.

[kai]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for creating & sharing this!

[BA-gpzs]

I believe all aspects of diversity in education is crucial in "natural selection". If there were no options-- there'd be no choice/direction in how each, as an individual, excel. Thanks for sharing your video! :)

[mercedeschambouleyron]

you'd made it very clear! thank you so much...you are a genius.

[nozarm]

Excellent, thank you 🙏 Reminded me of Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, Waldorf and Self-Directed schools.

[shaneibbs]

I enjoyed this brief explanation and largely agree with the idea. I was however curious how the "natural learning" in hunter gatherer societies as described, fell into gender defined roles, boys hunt girls forage, which in my experience speaks of culturally defined roles based on gender, as opposed to children finding their own roles, which seems to be counter to one of Peter's main point's. In my own experience where gender roles are less clearly defined by a culture, parenting and school, children of either gender have a greater tendency to try (metaphorically speaking),  'hunting or gathering' . I would be interested in people's thoughts on this.

[fynerpink]

Older kids help younger kids learn but this also opens up manipulation and vulnerability