Chasing Childhood Virtual Screening and Q&A

Wilton Youth Council’s Free Play Matters Task Force presents a virtual screening of Chasing Childhood, filmed in Wilton! Stream the movie for free anytime from Saturday, April 17 through Wednesday, April 21.

Chasing Childhood is a film about the unintended consequences of over-protecting, over-pressuring, and over-scheduling kids, and the impact that has on their ability to thrive both in childhood and as adults.

The makers of this movie spent hours in Wilton, filming in the schools, on the athletic fields, and in the homes of residents. Viewers will see familiar scenes from Wilton, including insightful conversations in our elementary schools. Learn more about how Wilton is leading the way in shifting the culture of childhood and the movement to raise healthy, resilient children.

Chasing Childhood Trailer from NYGrit on Vimeo.

Chasing Childhood was filmed before the pandemic, but the issues explored are even more profoundly relevant today: what is the changing landscape of contemporary childhood and parenting? What is best for my kid?

In today’s childhood, confined by structure, stranger danger, and helicopter parenting, free-play has virtually disappeared. Experts are ringing the alarm bell about the dramatic rise in anxiety and depression in young children and teens. What if all this well-intended hovering, fear and over-scheduling has backfired?

Join a virtual Q&A with the director and some of the experts and subjects of the film on Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Q&A panelists include:

• Eden Wurmfeld, Director and Producer of Chasing Childhood
• Lenore Skenazy, President and Founder of Let Grow
• Dr. Michael Hynes, Superintendent of Schools, Port Washington, NY
• Genevieve Eason, Executive Director of Wilton Youth Council
• Savannah Eason, Wilton High School ‘13

The Q&A will be moderated by Vicki Abeles, the director and producer of Race to Nowhere and Beyond Measure.

Register online.

Sponsored by Wilton Public Schools and Wilton Youth Council.