Play Smart

Why do children play? And what might be lost if children have no time or too much stress to play? New research indicates that play deprivation stunts the growth of brain cells with lifelong effects.

A story from the New York Times Magazine reviews a wide variety of hypotheses as to the value of play, including the play-as preparation hypothesis, the flexibility hypothesis, and the neurological hypothesis. Each have their proponents as well as their limitations when it comes to research-based evidence.

The author of the article concludes with the following paragraph:

"In the end, it comes down to a matter of trade-offs. There are only six hours in a school day, only another six or so till bedtime, and adults are forever trying to cram those hours with activities that are productive, educational and (almost as an afterthought) fun. Animal findings about how play influences brain growth suggest that playing, though it might look silly and purposeless, warrants a place in every child’s day. Not too overblown a place, not too sanctimonious a place, but a place that embraces all styles of play and that recognizes play as every bit as essential to healthful neurological development as test-taking drills, Spanish lessons or Suzuki violin."

I encourage you to read the entire article. Even more, however, I encourage you to make room for play in your own lives and the lives of the children you love. It warrants a place in all our days.

Coaching Inquiries: What do you do for fun? Who do you like to play with? How could you play more? Where are the children with whom you could connect and play?

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