Ned Johnson

As close as we'll ever get to being in a movie! Heartfelt thanks to director Michael Morris of #bridgetjonesmadabouttheboy for shout-out to @selfdrivenchild. Like you, we've so loved watching Bridget grow up & become a #mom (Mum!), learning how to raise her own wonderful kids.

@GovernorShapiro Kids shouldn’t have to fight for “yard time.”

The best thing we can do for our kids right now is to just let them be kids. Kids are getting cell phones sooner than any generation before them, screen times are up while real human connection is down, and foundational skills aren’t being taught enough these days. We need to take a step back. It’s why I just signed a bipartisan bill into law, requiring cursive handwriting to once again be taught in PA public schools. It’s also why I’ve called on the legislature to pass a bill requiring schools to both implement a bell-to-bell cell phone ban and guarantee recess for every Pennsylvania student.  Let’s continue our work to set young people on a path to success — and let our kids be kids.

Proud to be on this podcast with the man who made me understand the incredible value of free play -- and how much kids are learning even when not being "taught." That is, the inspirational Peter Gray: wayfaremagazine.org/p/raising-chil…

Shout it from the rooftops!

Thanks for sharing, Rosemarie @JBrehenyWallace makes a great point!

"The fastest way to feel like you matter is to remind someone else why they do." Mattering: an interview with Jennifer Wallace and @NedJohnson on The Self-Driven Child podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mat…

@lamb83 Thanks for sharing, Rosemarie! @JBrehenyWallace makes a great point!

Accurate.

“The most good that came out of the Yondr pouches was an excellent case study in why district-level decisions made in a vacuum almost always backfire.” A Blow to the Phone-Free Classroom nytimes.com/2026/02/25/sty…

He gave so much towards how we understand #motivation. Thank you, Dr. Deci. His self-determination theory was based on the belief that people are naturally curious and eager to grow, and that they need to feel autonomous, connected and competent. nytimes.com/2026/02/26/sci… @centerforSDT

@FreeRangeKids @LetGrowOrg And like a young elephant tied with a rope, are they trained to always be led even when they’re old enough and strong enough to go on their own?

Where can you get reasoned, kind, real-world responses to a question like this: "At what age do you suggest 1. Cross the street alone, and 2. Go around the block alone?" At @LetGrowOrg's Raising Independent Kids FB group! facebook.com/groups/7599382…

I wanna play!

Whoever collects 3 bottles wins... You see, there are ways to have fun…more amazing than computer games.

Wild study! @SambMD reports that when we do things for a loved one, "the emotional benefits of giving are strong for the giver, WHETHER OR NOT THE RECIPIENT EVEN NOTICES THE ACT"!!! Or, as the Dalai Lama puts it: "The act itself is the reward." More: open.substack.com/pub/drsamantha…

#College choices can be difficult.

Oh, what a gift - to all the wonderful autistic kids in the world (mine included) and their loving families. Thanks @Mattel! cnn.com/2026/01/12/hea…

Why smaller houses can lead to happier lives "Happiness is other people" wapo.st/49qfhDa

This is high value information. Please help!

We sometimes condescendingly refer to this kind of wisdom as “folksy” or “homespun,” as if answering multiple-choice questions is real intelligence, and living a good, full life is just some down-home, gee-whiz, cutesy thing that little old ladies do. open.substack.com/pub/experiment…

Travel guide for Good Samaritans: A center for homeless residents was set to close. Then Rick “Luke” Steves stepped in. @RickSteves wapo.st/4sdQcUu