A pioneer in research on play, Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults — and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age. (Recorded at Serious Play in May 2008, in Pasadena, California. Duration: 26:42.)
Why play is vital no matter your age
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(30 Responses)
Play is certainly important – but is it directly linked to intelligence?
That was such an interesting talk! I’m a great believer in the power of play, not least because it gives me an excellent excuse to arse around
Ben – I’m a nursery nurse and see evidence that play is linked to intelligence every day. What I’m not so sure about is whether it’s intelligent children that play more (or differently), or play that actually makes children intelligent. What is apparent to me is that children who are able to play well – especially those that tend to engage in solo and imaginative play – are more inquisitive and experimental, developing the skills to find out about their environment for themselves. Equally, children who are less able to amuse themselves tend to develop verbal language, social skills and intellectual capacity more slowly than their peers. As I said, I’m not sure which is the cause and which is the effect. Play probably won’t affect the IQ but probably does have an effect on the way children (and therefore adults) approach challenges, problems and new ideas.
Thanks for your response; I meant that I feel play is important in maximising your potential but not necessarily in improving your intelligence, in particular as an adult.
Twitter has broken the ‘live bookmarks feed’ by the way – what are you up to?
AND I HATE THE ANTI-SPAM TEXT!
Were installing it! Let’s just say some plug-ins for wordpress are coded better than others.
What are live book mark feeds?
Sorry about the anti spam – necessary evil.
Just read the twitter update Phillis, I am rather disgusted that fans are contacting you personally at such a late time- it is after 11pm!!! You are not “working” and it is your own personal time, really Phillis this Michelle has irked me- and needs to be told not to bother you over such tiresome things- I and I’m sure the rest of us appreciate all you do here on this blog- fans of Derren contacting you over every little thing isnt on- please dont be taken advantage of- and Michelle- you should be ashamed, please respect Phillis and Phillis’ private time- he is not at your beck and call!
I see Michelle posting over on the DBFF saying “phillis said this.. phillis said that”-obviously from constant emailing questions that she sends you- maybe you should let Phillis have some peace.
I’m not being nasty here anyone, but it needs to be said.
http://www.supertouchart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/maze_72dpi.jpg
Worry not Rebecca – Michelle is quite aware than I am a chronic insomniac and actually keeps me entertained on the late shift – I last slept in 2003 and didn’t like it much – it was meant as a little joke. She seems to work until 4am some days and there’s only crazy Americans awake at that hour.
FOD’s should never be afraid to contact me what ever the hour (I can turn my email off) – if I’m not prancing around the corridors in my ballerinas outfit I’m usually to be found at the computer taping away like a loon and talking to myself.
Darren who? Some of us read this blog because we’re fans of Phillis, you know.
**BLUUUSH**
Anything Ted is great. Not enough play in the day.
Phillis – Your too modest, most of the posts on here are from you, and we think you’re great.
Take your warning from the shining… all work and no play… redrum, redrum.
Phillis is our favourite. Phillis brings us endless monkey stories!
Has anyone ever seen the TED talk where this guy juggles for 40 minutes or so, and talks about it, and is awesome beyond ALL BELIEF?
STALKERS!!
ha ha –
I know, right? You should hire a security force.
@ screaminggreen – do you have a link for the juggling guy?
I just took a look, and I actually do. Moderation queue activate!
http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_moschen_juggles_rhythm_and_motion.html
Michael Moschen = epic juggler.
Much as though I adore you Phillis, getting back to the play theme: Being playful is advocated by psychologist Oliver James as a vaccine against the Affluenza virus which is currently infecting the world (so he says in his bestselling book imaginatively entitled “Affluenza”). If you wish to find out whether you are at serious risk from this terrible virus take the test at http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/minisites/affluenza/quiz.htm. A warning though -whatever your score you will be advised to read the book, although having said that it is an interesting read and does make you think about your lifestyle.
SGC: Monkey story? You might like this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4976810/Monkeys-teach-offspring-to-floss-their-teeth.html
Katherine, that’s adorable and you are awesome. Also, I took the quiz and am not distressed yet! WHOOP WHOOP YAY.
SGC: So glad to hear you’re not distressed. Neither am I! The only question I fell down on was the can you sit calmly/not fidget one and I blame this blog for that.
Are you sure that’s a fall down, assuming you said you fidget? Sitting still is boring. If you are sitting still without fidgeting, here is a list of things you are currently not doing:
1. Juggling
2. Running in circles
3. Jumping on things
4. Wrestling
My sitting still list usually involves: making jewellery with lots of very very tiny beads and crystals; reading newspapers and drinking coffee, general fidgeting (always been a habit) and more recently composing limericks in my head. Juggling – hopeless, running in circles and jumping on things – pointless, wrestling – no thanks, would probably end up smaller than I already am.
Running and jumping on things is good for you and piles of fun. So is wrestling people. Juggling isn’t so hard. While you are composing limericks in your head I am doing haikus.
Ok I accept it’s all fun but the wrestling is completely dependent upon who you are wrestling with
Wait, back up, hold the phone. I’ve just realised there’s a Twitter feed RIGHT THERE and while it explains a lot it wasn’t there before. Where did it come from? Who did that? Whoah.
It wasn’t there before, right? I’ve not totally lost it?
It’s been there since yesterday afternoon
yes
Sounds like the Utopian Playland. Read Dr. Steels manifesto, http://www.DoctorSteel.com