If you’re a parent or a teacher, you’ve probably wondered how to balance play and safety for the kids in your care. You don’t want to put children in danger, but you also don’t want to rob them of the joy of exploration. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Peter Gray. We'll talk about why independent play is so important to a child's development, and answer listeners' questions about the role parents, schools, and neighborhoods can play in giving kids more autonomy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

*The skills that children develop when they play without parental involvement.

*Why American culture has shifted away from independence for children in recent decades.

*The role of independent play in helping children to learn key lessons and thrive developmentally.

*The simple question that parents can ask their kids to create space for more unstructured play.

*How to know what's age-appropriate when it comes to independent play.

*How to foster independent play in your neighborhood or community.

*What schools can do to encourage unstructured opportunities for kids.

Episode photo by Aisiri Iyengar on Unsplash