Peter Gray
Keynote Speaker: Psychology Researcher & Scholar; Author of "Psychology" Textbook; Blogger of "Free to Learn" for Psychology Today; Advocate for Play-Based Childhood Learning
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Peter Gray Biography
Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College who has conducted and published research in behavioral biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of multiple editions of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Most of his research over the past 30 years focuses on the role of play in human evolution and development, and especially on how children educate themselves through self-directed play and exploration, when free to do so.
He has expanded on these ideas in his book, "Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life" (Basic Books), which has been translated into 18 languages. He also authors a Substack series entitled "Play Makes Us Human." He is one of the founders of the nonprofit "Let Grow," the mission of which is to renew children’s freedom to play and explore independently of adult control.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Peter Gray and other top speakers and celebrities.
Peter Gray Speaking Topics
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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
How do I book Peter Gray to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Peter Gray for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Peter Gray, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Peter Gray or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Peter Gray for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Peter Gray, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Peter Gray are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Peter Gray, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Peter Gray speak about?
Peter Gray is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Education, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Psychology, Social Sciences, Early Childhood Education, Family & Parenting, Author and Non-Fiction Authors.
Where does Peter Gray travel from?
Peter Gray generally travels from Norfolk, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Peter Gray?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured 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 Schedule 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.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Peter Gray or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Peter Gray is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Education, Educational Motivational and Education Reform. The estimated speaking fee range to book Peter Gray for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $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 Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Anthony Rao and Juliana Urtubey. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Peter Gray for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Peter Gray Speaking Topics
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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.
VIDEO
Peter Gray Videos
NEWS
Peter Gray News
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Depression in teens may not be from screens, says Boston expert
Apr 22, 2024 ... Could helicopter parenting and a decline in 'free play' be causing the youth mental health crisis? · Boston College professor Peter Gray says screen time is less ...
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Parents obsession with safety hurts child development and they "fall ...
May 17, 2024 ... Professor Peter Gray believes increasing rates of teen suicide, anxiety and depression are linked less to screens and more to limitations on kids' freedom.
FAQS
-
How do I book Peter Gray to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Peter Gray for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Peter Gray, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Peter Gray or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Peter Gray for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Peter Gray, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Peter Gray are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Peter Gray, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Peter Gray speak about?
Peter Gray is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Education, Educational Motivational, Education Reform, Psychology, Social Sciences, Early Childhood Education, Family & Parenting, Author and Non-Fiction Authors. -
Where does Peter Gray travel from?
Peter Gray generally travels from Norfolk, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Peter Gray?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured 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 Schedule 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. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Peter Gray or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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