What Peter Gray has said about Early childhood academic education

1 quote · 1 episode · Oct 16, 2026

Peter Gray, American evolutionary psychologist and author of Free to Learn and Restoring Childhood, has been quoted on Early childhood academic education once in 1 episode of TED Radio Hour, most recently on October 16, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.

In their words

  • Gray says well-controlled studies show early academic training in preschool and kindergarten has long-term negative effects on mental health and academic performance.

    “those who were in the group that had early academic training are performing worse on reading, math, science, all academic tests than those who didn't”

    TED Radio Hour: Have we forgotten how to play? (Oct 16, 2026) · Listen from 22:39

Episodes

  • Have we forgotten how to play?

    TED Radio Hour · Oct 16, 2026 · 50 min

    Manoush Zomorodi talks with Peter Gray about declining free play and youth mental health, sailor Tracy Edwards about her unconventional path, and features Stefen Chow's playground photography.

Peter Gray on other topics