1KHO 499: What Have We Done to Childhood? | Dr. Peter Gray, Free to Learn

What Have We Done to Childhood? That’s the question at the heart of this gripping conversation with Dr. Peter Gray , author of Free to Learn and one of the world’s foremost researchers on human development and education. In his fourth appearance on the podcast, Dr. Gray unpacks how cultural shifts—from agricultural hierarchies to today’s anxiety-fueled overprotection—have stripped childhood of its most essential ingredients: freedom, trust, agency, and play. What we call “normal” now—overscheduling, overcontrol, and constant performance pressure—would be unrecognizable, even unthinkable, in every previous era of human history. This is one of the most urgent and thought-provoking episodes we’ve ever released. It explores the deep cost of replacing play with programming, curiosity with curriculum, and independence with obedience. We don’t need more rigor—we need restoration. If we want to raise kids who are emotionally healthy, socially competent, and equipped for a rapidly shifting world, it starts by asking hard questions. What have we done to childhood? And what can we still do to get it back? ** Check out Dr. Peter Grays Substack here Get your copy of Free to Learn here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit give.cru.org/hour to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at www.reliefband.com/1000hours Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit www.acornsearly.com/outside to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices