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Play: What Humans Can Do
April 8, 2011
Have awe for the tree. It is one big wonder that was sacred to your ancestors.
-Alexander von Humboldt, biogeographer and naturalist, 1769-1859
-Alexander von Humboldt, biogeographer and naturalist, 1769-1859
These words of advice come from Edward Hallowell in his book, Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People (Boston, Harvard Business Review, 2011), which is rated among the top 10 "Books that Can Shape our Profession" in this week's Exchange Insta Poll. Hallowell continues...
"Play is what humans can do and computers can't. Play is the activity of the mind that allows you to dream up novel approaches, fresh plans. Columbus was at play when it dawned on him that the world was round. Newton was at play in his mind when he saw the apple tree and suddenly conceived of the force of gravity. Watson and Crick were playing with the possible shapes of the DNA molecule when they stumbled on the double helix. Shakespeare played with the iambic pentameter his whole life. Mozart barely lived a waking moment when he was not at play. Einstein's thought experiments are brilliant examples of the mind invited to play...
"Play, as I define it, is not restricted to the 'creatives' in your organization... If you're reading this page, you can play! Everyone has it in them to imagine and to question. The best organizations create a culture that fosters play in everyone, especially those to whom it does not come naturally, because in play those people will discover talents and ideas they didn't know they had. An expectation of rigid conformity, of political correctness and robotic obedience to procedure and rules, may prevent lawsuits, but it deadens people and sooner or later kills organizations. No one ever got great by doing only what they were told."
That's right, Exchange's Value of Play CD Book includes over 100 articles from Exchange and the HighScope Foundation. And the updated version includes the latest "Infant Toddler Toy Guide" by Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (TRUCE). Issues addressed by the 100+ articles include...
- The Purpose of Play
- HighScope Perspectives on Play
- Advocating for the Value of Play
- Play in Practice
- Taking Play Outdoors
- Play Materials
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Comments (6)
Displaying 5 of 6 Comments [ View all ]Ready Set Play Company
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States
I love this article! So much so, I bought the CD Book!
Ready Set Play Company - is all about Play!
first steps
seaford, de, United States Minor Outlying Islands
I love this article I enjoy seeing my group of children using they little minds in play.I agree on how important it is to have the play time, with the hands, giving them the tools to expand their imagination.
United States
Oh..., to discuss, to use, to express with the word of "play" can bring such perplexity to folks. Yet, Edward Hallowell just as Stewart Brown, Lillian Katz, Daniel Pink, Eleana Bodrova, Debbie Leong, Docia Zavitkovksy, just to name a few, could and can give "play" it's rightful status in human development.
Head Start
United States
These are great quotes. I really wish parents would realize the importance of PLAY especially in 3 and 4 year olds. Many of our parents are critical not knowing that there are alot more ways and things to learn than ABC Flash cards etc. We set up wonderful play centers in our Head Start classrooms and you would be amazed at the things these children come up with on their own and the broad learning they teach themselves. Children need more time to do there own thing with out so many electronic gagets. I have enjoyed and am putting into use alot of your ideas that you email to me.
Thank you, Bonnie
Shishu Vikash Kendra
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Hello
Child friend ,A child don't learn normally , but do learn through play . play is fun , encouragement , source of learning , learning spontenously .
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