The Anthony School’s Head of School Shana weighs in on “The Anxious Generation.”
Recently, The Anxious Generation has been a topic of conversation among school leaders, parents, and social psychologists. Do you have ideas about how schools can address the concepts in this book?
SN: We have a real opportunity here to partner with parents and the broader community to address what is happening to childhood. For those who have not read it yet, this book centers around two main themes: the negative effects of growing up in a phone-based environment and the healthy, positive benefits of a play-based childhood. Every child in our school has at least two opportunities for recess each day. Kids need to move to think, and that’s not opinion; that is science. Studies show the positive effects of physical activity on brain function including improved memory, concentration and attention–not to mention the social and emotional benefits. Now we are looking for ways to incorporate more unstructured free play (with minimal “toys” and minimal adult intervention) so that our students are better able to exercise their creativity while practicing the art of sharing, negotiating and “working it out.” I am also supportive of schools which choose to be phone-free, but that is an article for another time!
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