Though he is most known professionally for his work on childhood stress and adolescent psychology, which extends the theories of Jean Piaget, Dr. David Elkind is recognized by the general public for his work popularizing the importance of play to children’s learning and healthy development. His contributions to child psychology include his widely influential work on egocentrism in adolescence. In 2007, he turned his attention to the effects of academic pressures and passive leisure. His book The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally argues that children need to lead their own creative play in order to live and learn well, and that children who are allowed to learn through play when they are young are better able to learn from teachers when they are older. He advocates for long recesses and free play, and for adults to model a play-filled, playful life. A respected speaker, he has also written more than 400 book chapters and articles (including several children’s stories), and consults for education departments, government agencies, and private foundations.
Most Influential Work:
- The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally (Berkeley, CA: Perseus, 2007) makes a compelling case for free play as one of the necessary elements of a full, healthy life.
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