The science of play shows it's an essential lifelong activity to cultivate healthy brain functioning, increase our connection to others, learn faster, and boost the emotional system that drives joy.
This is one of the things I appreciated about Waldorf schools; they valued play, outdoor learning, the arts as part of the curriculum. Also, dance improvisation was always a form of play and group interaction and co-creation. Play isn’t about winning or losing; it is about being present in the moment. Thank you for your ideas and research.
I’ve been wondering for some time now what play looks like for me. This resonated deeply: ‘the thing is, I had literally no idea how to put this into practice in my life. What exactly was play for an adult, in reality? How did I incorporate it on a daily basis?’ I’ve tried creative projects but they often become like work, a production that drives judgement of the outcome instead of something to be present in and enjoy, though I think collage is the exception. I recall times in my life that were filled with play and it often required other people to lift me out of myself, we would egg each other on, it was in the interactions with others that I felt free to be silly. This is an incredibly generous exploration of play giving me lots to explore further and act on - thank you!
Play is for grown-ups
Great text! Loved it! Thanks for writing it, you made me want to explore this idea further.
This is one of the things I appreciated about Waldorf schools; they valued play, outdoor learning, the arts as part of the curriculum. Also, dance improvisation was always a form of play and group interaction and co-creation. Play isn’t about winning or losing; it is about being present in the moment. Thank you for your ideas and research.
I’ve been wondering for some time now what play looks like for me. This resonated deeply: ‘the thing is, I had literally no idea how to put this into practice in my life. What exactly was play for an adult, in reality? How did I incorporate it on a daily basis?’ I’ve tried creative projects but they often become like work, a production that drives judgement of the outcome instead of something to be present in and enjoy, though I think collage is the exception. I recall times in my life that were filled with play and it often required other people to lift me out of myself, we would egg each other on, it was in the interactions with others that I felt free to be silly. This is an incredibly generous exploration of play giving me lots to explore further and act on - thank you!