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Quick Thought: Never Stop Playing

September 3, 2015 by notjustcute Filed Under: Learning through Play and Experience, Quick Thought / Hot Topic 4 Comments

Don't Stop Playing Resized

I recently taught a day-long workshop for a fantastic group of early childhood educators on intentional teaching and the power of play.  In preparing for that, I spent a lot of time reading Dr. Stuart Brown’s book,Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul (*affiliate link).

Brown is a leading play researcher and the founder of the National Institute for Play.  He’s a proponent of play not just as a child’s need, but as a human need.  As I found myself underlining and dog-earing pages along the way, this quote in particular stood out to me, and from several perspectives.

First, just the initial phrase:  “When we stop playing, we stop developing…”  That concept, that development and play are intertwined, is backed up by science.  Studies show that play causes the brain to release growth-promoting chemicals, and that on the opposite end, learning environments that are overly stressful actually cause barriers to learning in the brain.

Play and development work hand in hand, and it’s easy to promote that in the world of early learning.  But that wasn’t the full context of this particular quote.  This quote lies in the context of human needs.  We ALL need play.  Brown’s research and experience show that those who continue to play experience more longevity and a higher quality of life.

So as you work to protect play in the lives of the children you love and teach, think for a moment about how you promote it in your own life as well.  Where do you find your opportunities for play?  Do you play as you cook? As you exercise? As you have a living room dance-off, or a poker table face-off?  Do you play as you create or compete or perform?

Wherever you find the satisfaction of play for yourself, value it.  Protect it.  Drink it in.  It’s hard to be a champion of play in childhood if we don’t recognize our own need for it as well.

 

Read more about the power of play at the Play Matters Blog Hop hosted by Encourage Play!

Girls dressing  up as pirates

Girls dressing up as pirates

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Comments

  1. 1

    Candice says

    September 3, 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Thank you for this reminder! I recently participated in a music class for babies and toddlers with my twin girls. I think I loved it more than they did! I have the opportunity to train and teach a class next year and am trying to decide if the timing is right. I know this would be a “play” opportunity for me, so I will keep your words in mind as I make my decision.

    Reply
  2. 2

    Janine Halloran says

    September 10, 2015 at 7:05 am

    What a wonderful post! I’ve watched Stuart Brown’s TED talk on play, and his book is on my list to read this fall now that the kids are in school. After reading this, it has moved to the top. Everyone – kids and adults – should play every day!!

    Reply
    • 3

      notjustcute says

      September 10, 2015 at 4:14 pm

      It’s a great book and really a pretty easy read, considering his very academic background. It was really interesting to read about play from beyond the perspective of the the early childhood community.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Quick Thought: Never Stop Playing | TPS Lower School Parents Blog says:
    September 5, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    […] Source: Quick Thought: Never Stop Playing […]

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I’m Amanda Morgan. Here’s what I’m about…

In early education, there is too much distance between what we know and what we do. I bridge the gaps that exist between academia, decision-makers, educators, and parents so that together, we can improve the quality of early education while also respecting and protecting the childhood experience.

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