Psychologist Peter Gray emphasizes the urgent need to reclaim independent play as a crucial tool for fostering resilient, self-reliant, and mentally healthy young individuals, countering children's declining mental health in a world dominated by structured routines and overprotection.

Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health

In the complex world of education, the Harvard EdCast keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and our communities. The EdCast is a weekly podcast about the ideas that shape education, from early learning through college and career. We talk to teachers, researchers, policymakers, and leaders of schools and systems in the US and around the world — looking for positive approaches to the challenges and inequities in education. Through authentic conversation, we work to lower the barriers of education’s complexities so that everyone can understand.

The Harvard EdCast is produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosted by Jill Anderson. The opinions expressed are those of the guest alone, and not the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Dr. Michael Rich shares strategies for balancing children's time online and offline.

Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids

Olivia Chi discusses the implications of "emergency teaching licenses," their impact on teacher diversity, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce.

Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

Jaime Peterson highlights the prevalence and harmful effects of corporal punishment in schools, underscoring the need for its abolition and the implementation of evidence-based disciplinary practices to ensure students' well-being and safety.

Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option?

Eyal Bergman sheds light on chronic absenteeism and what family engagement has to do with it.

Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement

Heather Wathington discusses how FAFSA changes will impact first-generation, low-income students in accessing college.

Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health

Download our free app to listen on your phone