mfbockrath's profile picture. Clinical health psychologist on parenting hiatus

Margaret Bockrath

@mfbockrath

Clinical health psychologist on parenting hiatus

Margaret Bockrath reposted

Kids are anxious. Article says, "Both parties have promised to expand mental health services in schools." Wait! HOW ABOUT TRYING MORE FREE PLAY? Space too scarce? BLOCK OFF STREET in front of school for PLAY before/after school. And start a Play Club! letgrow.org/program/play-c…

For decades, free play has been squeezed out of children's daily lives. My work focuses on one dimension: *space* to play. This brilliant article shines a light on another: *time* to play. As @JonHaidt argues, a generation have been left struggling. theguardian.com/education/arti…



Margaret Bockrath reposted

Let's end Maximum Security Recess! Forward this post by Peter Gray to the head of your child's school (unless the school already has a lot of regular free-play recess) petergray.substack.com/p/37-how-schoo…

JonHaidt's tweet image. Let's end Maximum Security Recess! 

Forward this post by Peter Gray to the head of your child's school (unless the school already has a lot of regular free-play recess)

petergray.substack.com/p/37-how-schoo…

Margaret Bockrath reposted

Recess and play are SEL. They help decrease aggressive and off task behavior as well as decease anxiety and depression . They increase self regulation of emotions and improve academic performance! Let them play!


Margaret Bockrath reposted

Boston College's Peter Gray is the author of the excellent intro psych text I've assigned for 28 years, & an advocate of children's free play long before it was invoked as a factor the youth mental health crisis. Valuable interview by Harvard Ed School here.…


Margaret Bockrath reposted

Starting high schools at 7 or 8am means putting inexperienced, teen drivers behind the wheel, with their decision-making & reflexes severely impaired by lack of sleep #startschoollater 2news.com/news/nevada-bo…


Margaret Bockrath reposted

Please use the letter below to contact local and state leaders. Consider adding your own story about why this is so important. You aren't alone! Join .@StartSchoolL8r for a supportive network of volunteers

The AASM recommends that the school day should begin at 8:30 AM or later for middle school and high school students. Scroll to the bottom of this page to download a template letter and urge your local policymakers to adopt later #SchoolStartTimes. bit.ly/3iXlZq1

AASMorg's tweet image. The AASM recommends that the school day should begin at 8:30 AM or later for middle school and high school students. Scroll to the bottom of this page to download a template letter and urge your local policymakers to adopt later #SchoolStartTimes. bit.ly/3iXlZq1


Margaret Bockrath reposted

When kids are deprived of play, their mental health suffers. Over the past 50 years, the time kids spend playing outside and inside has plummeted. They're missing opportunities to bond, build self-control, be creative, and feel joy. Free play is a key to happiness and growth.

AdamMGrant's tweet image. When kids are deprived of play, their mental health suffers.

Over the past 50 years, the time kids spend playing outside and inside has plummeted. They're missing opportunities to bond, build self-control, be creative, and feel joy.

Free play is a key to happiness and growth.

Margaret Bockrath reposted

Its interesting that in Finland, schools avg 5 hours per day and yet fit in 15 mins of recess every hour, but in the US we go 7 +hours and can’t fit in 10 mins total for recess.


Margaret Bockrath reposted

The evidence just keeps coming. Here's a 7th quasi-experiment, from UK. As high speed internet arrived in different parts, teen well being dropped, esp. for girls. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

JonHaidt's tweet image. The evidence just keeps coming. Here's a 7th quasi-experiment, from UK. As high speed internet arrived in different parts, teen well being dropped, esp. for girls. 

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Margaret Bockrath reposted

How can you get a Play Club at your school? There's no right answer, but our Executive Director will discuss some success stories and give you tips. Register now at bit.ly/playclubweb

LetGrowOrg's tweet image. How can you get a Play Club at your school?  There's no right answer, but our Executive Director will discuss some success stories and give you tips.   Register now at bit.ly/playclubweb

Margaret Bockrath reposted

Does RIE parenting, a popular form of gentle parenting, align with the research on child development? I dug into the science with child psychologist Cara Goodwin in today's audio newsletter: melindawmoyer.substack.com/p/a-deep-dive-…


Margaret Bockrath reposted

Most people seem to think that reform or regulation of social media means content moderation, which often leads to censorship. No. @RaviDataIyer at @PsychofTech notes how little moderation can do, and how much can be done to improve architecture: psychoftech.substack.com/p/addressing-a…?


Margaret Bockrath reposted

There is a growing awareness that the mental health problems of Gen Z were caused by 2 interacting factors: loss of childhood independence, and getting on social media in middle school. Here's a summary of the independence thread. Please visit and support letgrow.org

New from me: Researchers are beginning to ask if a lack of childhood independence plays a role in the mental health crisis. "Today’s 18-year-olds are like 12-year-olds from a decade ago. They have very little tolerance for conflict and discomfort." kqed.org/mindshift/6062…



Margaret Bockrath reposted

Snapping parents out of the norm is my business, ma'am. And now I'm head of @LetGrowOrg, nonprofit that grew outta Free-Range Kids. We are CHANGING the neglect laws so they say GIVING YOUR KIDS SOME REASONABLE INDEPENDENCE is NOT NEGLECT! Join us! letgrow.org/program/policy…

Thank goodness a friend suggested I read Free Range Kids while my kiddo was young to snap me out of this subtle norm that kids can’t be outside of the home w/out a parent. It’s something that I hadn’t noticed nor considered the implications. Terrible & a waste the state involved



Margaret Bockrath reposted

I love the Ann Arbor Public Schools outdoor recess policy. They play outside unless the temperature is below 0ºF. Teach kids to thrive in adverse conditions.


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