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Peter Gray

Research Professor, Author of "Psychology", "Freedom to Learn" Blogger, Contributor for Psychology Today Magazine

Peter Gray
Travels From Travels From:
Norfolk, MA, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000
Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Early Childhood Education, Education, Education Reform, Educational Motivational, Family & Parenting, Government, Psychology, Social Sciences
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Peter Gray Biography

Peter Gray is a research professor in the Department of Psychology at Boston College. The author of Psychology, a highly regarded college textbook, he writes a popular blog called Freedom to Learn for Psychology Today.

A professor of psychology at BC for 40 years, in 2002 Gray retired from his position as full professor and assumed that of research professor. He is the author of Psychology, a widely-used psychology textbook, has published numerous scholarly articles on the role of play in education, and writes a blog, "Freedom to Learn," for Psychology Today magazine.

Initially motivated by his son’s struggles in a structured school environment, Gray altered his professional focus to study education from a biological perspective. He frequently speaks on play and education at national conferences and university colloquia.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/12/2024.

Peter Gray Speaking Topics

  • Mother Nature's Pedagogy: How Children's Natural Curiosity, Playfulness, Sociability & Willfulness Serve Their Education

    Children come into the world exquisitely designed by natural selection to learn about the physical, social, and cultural world around them. In this talk---based on cross-cultural research, laboratory studies, and Peter Gray's own research at alternative educational settings in the United States---Gray will describe how children's instincts to explore, play, bond with others, and take charge of their own lives provide the natural foundation for education. He will also describe the conditions in which these educative instincts seem to operate best.

  • The Decline of Play & the Rise of Mental Disorders in Young People

    Over the past 50 to 60 years, we have seen a gradual, continuous, but ultimately dramatic decline in children’s freedom and opportunity to play and explore on their own, independently of adults. Over this same period, researchers have documented gradual, continuous, but ultimately dramatic increases in major depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental disorders in children, teens, and young adults.

    In this talk, Peter Gray will document and describe these historic changes and present the evidence and logic behind my conclusion that the decline of play has been the major cause of the rise in mental disorders. The conclusion is based on the nature of the correlation, the known functions of play, and laboratory research showing analogous effects when young animals are deprived of play.

  • Restoring Childhood

    In this talk, Peter Gray will describe steps that parents and society in general can take to bring normal childhood back to children in today's world.

  • The Value of Play in Children's Social, Emotional & Intellectual Development

    "Play" is a word that we use commonly to refer to children’s preferred activities. But what, really, is play?

    In this talk, Peter Gray will define play as an activity that is (1) self-chosen and self-directed; (2) motivated by means more than ends; (3) guided by mental rules; (4) includes a strong element of imagination; and (5) is conducted in an alert, active, but relatively non-stressed frame of mind.

    Gray will describe these characteristics and show how each of them contributes to play’s educational and developmental value. He will explain why play came about, in natural selection, to promote children’s healthy physical, intellectual, social, moral, and emotional growth and will describe the psychological detriments that have accompanied the decline of play in recent decades.

  • Play Makes Us Human

    In this talk, Peter Gray will describe the role of play in all three of the histories that have created us: Our biological history (the role of play in the evolution of our species), our cultural history (the role of play in the evolution of the culture in which we reside and that partially shapes us), and the role of play in our development as individuals.

Peter Gray Videos

  • Play-based Learning with Dr. Peter Gray
    Play-based Learning with Dr. Peter Gray
    Dr. Peter Gray, author of “Free to Learn,” defines play and discusses why unleashing the instinct of play makes children happier, more...
  • Peter Gray: Self Directed Education. What Is It, How Does It Work ...
    Peter Gray: Self Directed Education. What Is It, How Does It Work ...
    Peter Gray: Self Directed Education. What Is It, How Does It Work? Jerry Mintz. Loading... Unsubscribe from Jerry Mintz? Cancel Unsubscribe.
  • The decline of play | Peter Gray | TEDxNavesink - YouTube
    The decline of play | Peter Gray | TEDxNavesink - YouTube
    In this talk, Dr. Peter Gray compellingly brings attention to the reality that over the past 60 years in the United States there has been a...
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  • What topics does Peter Gray speak about?

    Peter Gray is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Early Childhood Education, Education, Education Reform, Educational Motivational, Family & Parenting, Government, Psychology, Social Sciences.

  • Where does Peter Gray travel from?

    Peter Gray generally travels from Norfolk, MA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Peter Gray for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Peter Gray for your next private or corporate function.

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Peter Gray is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Mother Nature's Pedagogy: How Children's Natural Curiosity, Playfulness, Sociability & Willfulness Serve Their Education, The Decline of Play & the Rise of Mental Disorders in Young People, Restoring Childhood, The Value of Play in Children's Social, Emotional & Intellectual Development and Play Makes Us Human. The estimated speaking fee range to book Peter Gray for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Peter Gray generally travels from Norfolk, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kanya Balakrishna, Pearl Arredondo, Rae Pica, Olympia Della Flora and Chandra Ghosh Ippen. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Peter Gray for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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