According to developmental psychologist Peter Gray, children are born with innate curiosity, playfulness and a deep desire to learn. But at some point after entering school, kids start to get bogged down with structure, extracurricular activities and adult supervision, turning the fun of learning into a chore. Gray says kids can learn much of what they need if given the freedom to play and follow their curiosity. He joins us on Tuesday to make the case for returning joy, fun, and excitement to learning and education.
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Peter Gray is a research professor in the Department of Psychology at Boston College. The author of Psychology, a highly regarded college textbook, he writes a popular blog called Freedom to Learn for Psychology Today. His new book is called Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. [Your purchase on Amazon or Indiebound supports RadioWest.]