Children need to play, and play is disappearing from their lives. We can help.
– Heather Bernt-Santy

On the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s website, Jill Anderson writes the following in an article entitled, “Improving Mental Health Through Independent Play“:

In a world increasingly dominated by structured routines and adult supervision, renowned psychologist Peter Gray is not surprised that children’s mental health challenges and anxiety has been on the rise for decades.

“We are so overprotecting children, because we are so always there to solve their problems for them, they’re not developing the sense that they can solve their own problem,” Gray says, adding that clinical questionnaires conducted throughout the latter half of the 20th century showed a decline in locus of control for school-aged children as mental disorders rose. “How can you have an internal locus of control if you don’t have experience controlling your own life? One thing that clinical psychologists have long known is that if you don’t have a strong internal locus of control, that sets you up for anxiety and depression. No surprise. If I believe something can happen at any time, and there’s nothing I can do about it, that’s a very anxiety-provoking world. Things are frightening. I’m constantly anxious.”

“He cites many reasons for how we got to this place, including societal shifts and an education system focused on accountability. Gray, a professor emeritus at Boston College, advocates for the urgent need to reclaim the simple yet profound act of independent play, emphasizing its profound impact on children’s happiness and long-term well-being.”

Join us this Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Protecting Play conference as we come together as a powerful group of play advocates, determined to do what’s best for our children’s wellbeing.