This week we're reading Chapter Ten from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Trustful Parenting in Our Modern World." In this chapter, Gray explores what it means to practice trustful parenting in today’s world. He describes how trusting children’s natural abilities to learn and grow (rather than controlling or over-directing them) creates space for independence, confidence, and responsibility. We discuss the tension many modern parents feel between societal pressures for achievement and the instinct to give kids freedom. Gray emphasizes that children flourish when adults provide safety, support, and resources while stepping back enough for curiosity and play to guide development. In our conversation, we reflect on how this perspective can shape our work as speech therapists.We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Free to Learn Episode 9
This week we're reading Chapter Nine from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "Free Age Mixing: A Key Ingredient for Children's Capacity for Self-Education." In this chapter, Gray focuses on the unique value of age-mixed play, where younger and older children learn together. He shows how younger kids benefit from observing and modeling older peers, while older children gain patience, empathy, and leadership skills by guiding the younger ones. We discuss how these interactions create a natural cycle of learning that is often missing in age-segregated classrooms. Gray emphasizes that age-mixed play mirrors real-life communities, making it one of the most powerful settings for both academic and social growth.We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Free to Learn Episode 8
This week we're reading Chapter Eight from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Role of Play in Social and Emotional Development." In this chapter, Gray explains how play is essential for children’s social and emotional development. Through play, kids practice cooperation, negotiation, empathy, and conflict resolution in ways that can’t be taught through direct instruction. We discuss how these experiences help children learn to manage emotions, build friendships, and develop resilience. Gray emphasizes that mixed-age, self-directed play provides especially rich opportunities for growth because younger children learn from older ones and older children practice leadership and care. In our conversation, we connect these ideas to speech therapy, reflecting on how play-based interactions support not only communication skills but also the social-emotional foundations that make learning possible.We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Free to Learn Episode 7
This week we're reading Chapter Seven from Free to Learn by Peter Gray. In this chapter, Gray explores the “playful state of mind,” showing how play supports creativity, flexibility, and resilience in learning. He explains that play isn’t just an activity but a mindset where mistakes become opportunities and curiosity leads the way. We talk about how this state helps children take risks, problem-solve, and develop confidence without the fear of being judged. Gray contrasts this with the rigid, high-pressure atmosphere of traditional schooling, which often suppresses playfulness and intrinsic motivation. In our discussion, we reflect on how speech therapists can intentionally use playful contexts to reduce anxiety, encourage exploration, and make communication practice more meaningful.We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Free to Learn Episode 6
This week we're reading Chapter Six from Free to Learn by Peter Gray, "The Human Educative Instincts." In this chapter, Gray explains that humans are born with powerful instincts that drive learning, including curiosity, play, and sociability. He shows how these natural tendencies have been essential for survival throughout history, helping children acquire the knowledge and skills of their communities. We discuss how traditional schooling often suppresses these instincts, replacing intrinsic motivation with external rewards and punishments. Gray emphasizes that when children are free to follow their interests, these instincts guide them toward deep, meaningful learning. In our conversation, we reflect on how speech therapists can tap into curiosity, play, and social connection to support communication growth in more natural and motivating ways.We're discussing this book on WhatsApp! Click here to join the group!Head to patreon.com/theslpbookclub/membership to become an SLP Book Club supporter! You'll get episodes early and ad-free and a resource from Laura's TPT store every month.You can check out Adrianne's app, Say Hello, by going to sayhellospeech.com/say-hello-app.View the app in the Apple App Store here and on Google Play here.Find great shirts, sweatshirts, and wall art for SLPs in Laura's Etsy shop, Sunshine Speech Studio.If you love what we're doing at the SLP Book Club, please consider leaving us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen. This is the best way to support the podcast and help other SLPs and educators find us!Connect with us on instagram @slp_bookclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The SLP Book Club is a community of speech therapists, parents, and educators dedicated to learning and growing together each month as we digest engaging, science-backed books in the areas of child development, behavior, communication, mindset, and productivity. With over 16 years of combined experience as pediatric speech-language pathologists, hosts Laura Geissert and Adrianne Frost will provide you with thoughtful discussion, learning materials, and strategies that you can use immediately with the children you interact with each day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand