Archive - Play Makes Us Human

#88. Benefits, Null Effects, and Harmful Effects of ADHD Medications

Stimulants to treat ADHD apparently do not improve learning and can have serious harmful side effects.

1 hr ago •

#87. ADHD Is a Personality Trait, not a Disorder

ADHD, like other traits, is a problem in some contexts and not in others.

Aug 2 •

July 2025

#86. The Child’s Right to Play

What are the implications of Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Jul 26 •

#85. What Good is Recess?

Here I review some of the many studies showing mental, physical and academic benefits of school recess.

Jul 21 •

Links to Audio Recordings of Zoom Meetings for Paid Subscribers.

Here are links for Feb, March, April, May, and July Meetings

Jul 14 •

#84. Schools Can and Should Be Places for Play

The origin, rationale, and experiences of Let Grow Play Club at schools

Jul 13 •

#83. Self-Directed Education: What Is It and How Does It Work?

And why is the time ripe now for this mode of education to take wings?

Jul 7 •

#82. How Schools Can Improve Kids’ Mental Health and Their Academic Performance

The reform we need is the opposite of Common Core; we need to create healthy school climates.

Jul 5 •

June 2025

Online Meeting for Paid Subscribers, July 12

This will be an "ask me anything about" meeting. Here you can vote for the topic.

Jun 30 •

#81. A Brief History of Education*

To understand why schools are what they are, we must view them in historical perspective.

Jun 24 •

#80. Socially Prescribed Perfectionism Is Harming Our Kids

Perfectionism is a psychological mediator converting achievement pressure to poor mental health.

Jun 15 •

#79. The Decline of Fun and Rise of Work in Youth Sports

How youth sports evolved from an enjoyable leisure-time activity to yet another source of achievement pressure on kids.

Jun 5 •

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