Play Deprivation
Brown, founder of The National Institute for Play, has studied the profound effects of play. "New and exciting studies of the brain, evolution and animal behavior suggest that play may be as important to life - for us and other animals - as sleeping and dreaming."
Brown discovered that as children, most of the convicted felons in a study, had suffered either "from the absence of play or abnormal play like bullying, sadism, extreme teasing or cruelty to animals." He also discovered that Nobel Laureates, renowned artists and entrepreneurs, and animals with superior intelligence shared the trait of playfulness. According to Brown, play forms the basis for trust. It often generates a sense of cooperation and common goal setting, at the same time creating in the participants a sense of themselves.
Play In The Lives Of Adults
There is not much information about the necessity for adults to have fun. Many people are unable to answer the question, What is fun for you? Playing to reduce stress and to learn new skills could change their lives.
Believing In Professionalism
In contemporary American culture, busy schedules, long commutes, and an overemphasis on isolated academic skills deprive adults and children of playtime. Fear of leaving children unprotected contributes to their increased time alone indoors in front of the TV or video game. Saddest is the proliferation of the belief in 'professionalism' that makes people embarrassed to sing, create art, or experience making crafts without the skills they imagine to be necessary to do it right.
"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." - Plato
Play in Children
According to the Alliance For Childhood, educators point out that lack of play in the preschool and kindergarten levels can interfere with building a foundation for math, language, spatial awareness, and other learning skills. "In too many schools, play has become a four-letter word."
"Play is essential to development as it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional wellbeing of children and youth. Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children." The study, The Importance Of Play In Promoting Healthy Child Development And Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, was made by Kenneth Ginsburg and the Committee on Communications and Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health emphasizes
True play is becoming harder to find. It is defined as play that happens for the sake of play, without any outside goals. Psychologists Roberta Michnick Goinkoff, Ph.D., and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., in their book Einstein Never Used Flash Cards, encourage parents to trust their instincts so children will not be missing out on learning skills that come only from undirected activity.
Charles Schaefer, an expert in the field of play therapy and Professor of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, says, "We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing". He is considered by many to be the Father of Play Therapy.
Natural Family Online suggests making play a part of every child's daily life, play for it's own sake with no hidden agenda. Limit TV viewing and provide unstructured, multi-purpose toys. Remember how often you've seen children playing for hours with the box their Christmas gift came in while ignoring the toy.
A Reminder
And what can you do to increase playtime in your life?
"Remember to play after every storm." Mattie Stepanek, poet, optimist, and goodwill ambassador (July 17, 1990-June 25, 2004) He died from a form of muscular dystrophy.
