Peter Gray - Free to Learn

Nature-Based Early Learning Conference

August 2019, Manchester - New Hampshire

MNP director Patricia León had the privilege of meeting American researcher and scholar Peter Gray during the Natural Start Alliance’s Nature-Based Early Learning Conference. This was a special encounter for our director as Gray has contributed so much to movements that promote and support children’s rights to freedom of expression, freedom of thought and freedom to play (among others).

Gray, a well-known critic of standard educational systems, believes that children are well-equipped to control their own education and advocates for opportunities for self-directed education through various channels. He authors a popular blog in Psychology Today magazine entitled Freedom to Learn, where he shares research and thoughts regarding the roles of play and curiosity as foundations for learning. We encourage parents to visit his blog frequently. There, you will gain deeper insight to all the rich learning your children are engaged in when attending our nature-based programs.

Gray is the the author ofFree to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life, the founder and current board president of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education and a founder and board director of Let Grow, an organization dedicated to fostering independence and resilience in children by allowing them to play and explore outdoors without continuous adult intervention.