Chasing Childhood is a feature length documentary that explores a phenomenon affecting kids from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Free play and independence have all but disappeared, supplanted by relentless perfectionism and record high anxiety and depression. What's lost goes well beyond our idyllic conceptions of childhood past. When kids don't play unsupervised by adults, they don't gain critical life skills: grit, independence, and resourcefulness.

The film explores how society got here and how society might enpower our kids. Potential solutions are offered by the leaders of this movement, including former Stanford Dean and author of How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims, Biological Psychologist Peter Gray and others.

Join the College of Education for this screening and discussion, led by Dr. Kevin Currie-Knight, Teaching Associate Professor in the College of Education, Dept. of Special Education, Foundations, and Research.