David Elkind is best known for extending Piaget's theories into adolescent development and for identifying 'the imaginary audience' and 'personal fable' as hallmarks of adolescent egocentrism. From 2007 onward, he turned his attention to the damaging effects of academic pressure on young children's wellbeing, arguing powerfully that premature academic instruction displaces the imaginative, self-directed play that is the true engine of early learning. A prolific author of more than 400 articles and chapters, he advocated for long recesses, free play, and adults who model playful lives.
