What Does Science Have to Say About Play?

Submitted by Vicki Hazelwood, Coordinator, Building Brains Together

What does science have to say about play?  While at one time play was seen as a waste of time, there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that play is not frivolous; it helps to build a strong healthy brain. Play has been shown to have both direct and indirect effects on brain structure and on the way our brain functions.

Compelling evidence by Marian Diamond, one of the founders of modern neuroscience, discovered that rats playing with toys can enlarge and modify structural components of their brain at any age (Diamond 1988). These rats were shown to be smarter too - finding their way through mazes faster than rats who did not have the opportunity to play. (Greenough and Black 1992).

Over the last decade, there has been on-going reduction of playtime in favour of educational instructions, especially in modern and urban societies. Parents concerns about safety sometimes limit children’s opportunities to engage in playful and creative activities. Along the same lines, the increase of commercial toys and technological developments by the toy industry has fostered more sedentary and less healthy play behaviours in children.

Taking just five minutes to play with your child each day helps to build their brain!  Simple games like Red Light, Green Light, Musical Freeze, Story Telling, and Simon Says all grow working memory and the ability to remember instructions, emotional control (thinking before acting), and cognitive flexibility (the ability to move from one task to another). Scientists refer to these capacities as executive function – a set of skills that relies on three type of brain function: working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control.  These important skills can be built and developed through play.

Play doesn’t have to be complex with elaborate toys.  You can add play to household chores to make them more fun! For example, have you child pick up toys, sweep, or rake leaves using “Red Light Green Light” to make it a game.   Play a game of Simon Says while waiting in a restaurant for your order.  “Simon says touch your spoon, Simon says touch your nose, Simon says open your menu”.  Turn on the music while you bake or make diner with your child.   Let them know when the music stops it is time to freeze!

Science shows we can improve brain health and resilience through play. It is time to make play a priority and add play into our daily routines.

Sources and References:

Tanya Whippleattributes, Mental Health, active play