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I hope you are planning to take your kids to your local park and leave them there on Saturday, May 9. Me, I will be spending “Take inzetkkens
Our Children to the Park … and Let Them Walk Home by Themselves Day” morning at the Central Park playground at 85th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Joining me will be one of the wisest men I know, that huge champion of kids playing unsupervised: Peter Gray!
Gray is a professor at Boston College and author of the basic psychology textbook used at colleges all over America, including Harvard. No slouch. He is also the author of one of my favorite books — if you ever see my copy, you’d getdizzy from all the exclamation points in the margins — “Free to Learn.”
As it says on the Free to Learn website:
…children today seldom play and explore without adult supervision, and are afforded few opportunities to control their own lives. The result: anxious, unfocused children who see schooling—and life—as a series of hoops to struggle through.
In Free to Learn, developmental psychologist Peter Gray argues that our children, if free to pursue their own interests through play, will not only learn all they need to know, but will do so with energy and passion.
Sounds good, easy and free. And it is. Just let your kids play and you will be amazed at what they come up with and how the skills they develop there spill into everyday life. Focus. Communication. Entrepreneurship (what is creating a new game but getting “buy in” on a new idea?)
So if you’re near Central Park this Saturday, stop by and say hi. And if you’re near your own park — go home already! Just leave your kids there. — L
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Kids learn focus, communication, and executive function through play. And — oh yeah — they also find it “fun.”
Love that book. I read it, passed it around to my friends, and wished I had gotten an autographed copy because I honestly think that this book is destined to be a classic.
Lenore, I think it’s great that you’ve found another person for Team Free-Range (which, thankfully, doesn’t involve scheduled practices, overpriced matching jerseys, carpools, or a snack roster). Anyway, I’m going to check out this book from the library, because you’ve given it a raving endorsement. I just have to ask though, I’ve noticed that this year, the day is called “Take Your Kids To The Park And Let Them Walk Home By Themselves Day,” and in the past, it was called “Take Your Kids To The Park And Leave Them There Day.” Was the name change your idea, or was it prompted by a firestorm of sanctimommies who thought the original name meant “Abandon Your Kids At The Park And Abdicate All Responsibility For Their Well-Being Forever Day?” I know that this isn’t a big deal, because it’s still the same event either way, but it’s kind of sad that there are still people out there who think that Free-Range parenting is neglect.
I think the name change is in support of the family that was investigated by CPS for letting their children walk home from a park about a mile away from their home.
@Carolyn–Good point; I totally forgot about the reference to the Meitiv family. Good call, though–CPS and the police are much harder to contend with than sanctimommies.
This is so much fun! My son is grown. I don’t have grandkids. But I am a Free-Ranger who promotes your efforts among my friends. I give them your book. Now I’ll add Peter’s. And as I go about, as I walk the neighborhood or look out the windows of the house or car, I revel in Free-Range Kid Spotting. I do believe there are more out this year than last!
Despite all the bad news, this is something to cheer about!
I actually won’t be leaving my daughter at the park by herself or allowing her to walk home (down three whole blocks!) because she is 2, but we will be going to that park and I will be letting her do her crazy acrobats without unnecessary hovering. This is one scenario where her Prima Donna nature is good–if she realizes she can’t physically do something, she loudly demands assistance. I figure it’s a good method for testing her boundaries.
I’m going to check out this book!
Haha! Just found out the book is on Oysterbooks! Whoohoo!
“What? You’re cycling to the store? Wear a helmet! Wear a coat! Wear hi-viz! Put lots of lights on you and your bike! Stay on the right side of the road! Keep your hands on the steer! Look where you’re going! Take a parent with you! Stay RIGHT next to them!”
https://twitter.com/AlternativeDfT/status/594520564296998913/photo/1
Or not.
@Papilio
““What? You’re cycling to the store? Wear a helmet! Wear a coat! Wear hi-viz! Put lots of lights on you and your bike! Stay on the right side of the road! Keep your hands on the steer! Look where you’re going! Take a parent with you! Stay RIGHT next to them!â€
Oh, yeah, and don’t forget to HAVE FUN!
I just ordered the book. I’ve bought a few books that you recommended. I’ve liked them all so far.
@BL: With those shoes? Shouldn’t be a problem 😛
Oh Fantastic. Peter Gray’s son went to the Sudbury Valley School. !! and taught there, etc. Peter has always been a consultant and close friend of the school. Spring is here. Someone just offered me some free laying hens. I am in heaven with this farm residency. Love, Deb
My kids, sadly, are too old for this already. Maybe I should find a puppy and a white panel van, and see how many kids I can con into a ride… then I could dump them off at a park and let them find their own way home . Might make another viral video….
Thanks for turning me on to Peter Gray and “Free to Learn.”