Freedom to Learn

The roles of play and curiosity as foundations for learning

Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology at Boston College, is a specialist in developmental and evolutionary psychology and author of an introductory textbook, Psychology. See full bio

January 14, 2009, Child Development

Comments on "How to Ruin Children’s Play: Supervise, Praise, Intervene"

How to Ruin Children’s Play: Supervise, Praise, Intervene

By Peter Gray on January 14, 2009 in Freedom to Learn

My soul has been stirred by many of nature's wonders... But, of all of nature's scenes that I have enjoyed and pondered, none have enthralled me more than those of children playing--playing on their own, without adults guiding or interrupting them. My words are poor substitutes for the actual scenes, but let me try to convey two examples that have moved me more than any poetry.... I report on them here partly in an attempt to convey their beauty, but also to point out how adults might well have ruined them by supervising, praising, or in other ways intervening, as happens all too often today. Read More

Good article

Submitted by Acidmonkey on January 14, 2009 - 2:48pm.

I am young (20), and am saddened when I hear of games of tag, or rough-housing between boys being banned/discouraged. I want my kids to be able to be kids. My childhood would have been so much worse if I had never been able to play to my hearts content.

Inspirational writing

Submitted by Cathy Malchiodi on January 16, 2009 - 7:43am.

Thanks for putting this piece out there. One of the hats I wear is that of adjunct Professor at Lesley University, teaching a yearly intensive course on art and expressive therapies and child development. This piece is going on the syllabus, it echoes the Lesley philosophy of "trust the process" while observing with an open mind and heart. While art and play therapists do intervene [since they often work with children who are troubled], what is probably not well-known is that they are generally judicious in that regard and are highly conscious of the benefits of individual's process of creative expression.

Cathy Malchiodi, The Healing Arts

Thank you

Submitted by Virginia Swain on January 18, 2009 - 11:06am.

Dear Peter,

As the woman who asked you if it was safe for the child to use the glue gun, I continue to learn from you about the value of trusting play. We visited the Strong Museum of Play on our Christmas vacation with our grandchildren in Rochester. I feel the most relaxed and renewed when I play with Alex (5) and Isabelle (2) with openness to their leading me.

I continue to enjoy this blog. Thanks for doing it!

Virginia

kids at play

Submitted by suburbancorrespondent on April 19, 2009 - 6:18pm.

I have six children, and I have long observed that they play better and longer if I am not present. If I am there, they look to me to settle disputes, give them ideas on what to do, etc. If I "disappear," they are much more creative and cooperative with each other.

It's good to see that I am not rationalizing taking a break while the children play!