Play Time

Stuart Brown, M.D., of the National Institute of Play postulates that life without play becomes warped. His interest began, with an exploration of what made former Marine Charles Whitman snap and become a mass murderer, shooting from a tower in Texas, and killing sixteen people in 1966.

Dr. Brown's inquiry into what made Charles Whitman tick showed that he was never allowed to play with other kids. His father brutally beat young Charles, if he so much as balked at practicing piano at age five. Neighbors never saw him playing outside or with other children. If he explored the front yard at all, his father beat him. His kindergarten teacher said he was "too good" - sitting in a corner waiting for instruction, instead of joining in the chaotic puppy-pile play more typical of five year olds.

Play features hugely in the development of empathy, compassion, and kindness in humans, rats and most other socialized beings. Wrestling, rolling down grassy hills, and exploring make us uniquely mammalian, and maybe humanely human.

Scientists don't need to tell us how important play is to brain development and well being. Simply reflect on the last time you really played... was it a board game or computer game? Charades with friends? Soft ball, tennis, golf, shooting baskets, keeping up a balloon? Just goofing around with folks of different ages from your own or similar age? How did you feel in the wake of that playtime?

Over the weekend, I got to play fully. My husband and I celebrated our forty-fourth wedding anniversary April 30, and we took time to play with friends at dinner Friday, and to attended a story-telling event at our daughter's house Saturday night. "Anniversary" was the theme. Sunday found us happily tired and toasting each other over a beautiful sunset and an episode of The Phil Silvers' Show... remember Sargent Bilko? Lots of laughs.

Play-fully is the way to go when weaning from coffee - which I felt I had to do this weekend. The grouchitude is real for me, when the caffeine coffers diminish in my system. How was my weekend? it was GRRRRRRRrrrrr... but also Grrreat! Let's see what happens with my sense of fun when my system balances out. I'm guessing I will feel even more playful.

Here's a link to one of Stuart Brown's TED Talks:

http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital