The Rewards of Play

Did you know that there is a scholarly journal called "American Journal of Play"?  It is an interdisciplinary quarterly, with contributions from researchers and universities across the country.  It was once thought that the ability to play and imagine was one of the characteristics that separated humans from the rest of the animal realm, but research has revealed that rats laugh, and that social play is a strong motivator for a variety of animals to accomplish tasks - as strong as food, drugs or sex. 

The most recent issue was devoted to the science of play and the relationship of play to brain chemistry and formation. Here are a few gleanings from that issue.  I am giving you "snapshots", since each article is detailed, but the snapshots may interest you and help you value the play of your children even more..

Optimal brain development depends on healthy play experiences in early life.  Over the long evolutionary haul, play has promoted social bonds and nourished social learning (think of groups of primates who depend on each other, and who bond partly through play).  Since many species, including ours, have more play experiences in the juvenile years, there is a theory that those play experiences enhance performance in adulthood by dampening the fear of novel situations.  Play introduces novel situations and is flexible and open, promoting resiliency and adaptability.

The regions of the brain where positive emotions and motivation originate (the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and frontal cortex) also mediate social play.  Our brains tell us that play is a pleasure to be sought, and our brain pathways make it so.   It seems to me that there is strong support here for trusting a child to seek the kind of play that is most compelling and interesting. We are such complex organisms, and our developing brains, linked deeply to our bodies, thoughts and emotions, have a way of knowing what kinds of experiences we need. 

Mid-summer is a good time to remember that children need unstructured time with open-ended materials, with and without other children.  They can practice reacting to novelty, constructing an imaginary world, trial and error, and new skills in play, where they are highly motivated for the pleasures that play affords.  While very young children change their mode of play with great frequency, older children can sustain a play idea over days (did you ever build a fort and form a club?).   Sometimes parents have to wait it out through the "I don't have anything to do" stage - but if you can wait it out, you might find your child, who is deeply motivated to play, discovering a new way of playing that comes from his or her own imagination and skill. 

And while you're at it, what would you like to play this summer?  Play opens us up as adults too, and our brain chemistry reacts very favorably!  Wishing you a playful time, at home or on vacation.