According to the National Institute For Play, play-by its nature- is uniquely and intrinsically rewarding, generates optimism, seeks out novelty, makes perseverance fun, leads to mastery, gives the immune system a bounce, fosters empathy, promotes a sense of belonging and community, leads to more creative, adaptable workers and teams, and is a catalyst for learning at any age. Playful communications and interactions, when nourished, produce a climate for easy connection and deepening, more rewarding relationship– true intimacy. Play shortage predicts: impending health problems and personal fragility. Here's play researcher Stuart Brown on the benefits of play.
Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively. ~ Stuart Brown
Happier, healthier people use play all their life to become more productive, better parents, and require less health care.
Making play an important role in a relationship increases harmony and effectiveness of the relationship.
Current evidence suggests, that play optimizes learning. It is vital to infuse play into curricula and teacher education is vital.
TRANSFORMING CORPORATE INNOVATION
Play-based approaches to managing work teams and projects have proven to dramatically increase the rate of innovation in work groups.
Content above courtesy of Stuart Brown, M.D., author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul (Avery-Penguin)