YES! Play is Inspiring and Powerful

Portland Children's Museum

Recently, the Yes Spaces crew headed over to the Portland Children’s Museum to hear an incredible talk about the power of play. The Center for Children’s Learning Direction, Susan MacKay, taught us all about how important it is for children to have time for focused playing. As Barbara mentioned earlier in the week, it is entirely possible to over-schedule your children and forget to allow them time to engage in what truly excites them and gets them in a playful state of mind. It’s easy to fill up kids schedules with activities you think they need, while missing the opportunity for them to grow and learn in more natural ways. MacKay was quick to explain that allowing for play doesn’t mean letting children run around without any structure like crazy wild beasts, but there are ways to make sure that your children are learning and playing in an optimal and powerful way.

MacKay redefined play as less of a specific activity and more of a state of mind, and a very powerful state of mind at that. A playful mind is in a relaxed state of alertness, which leads to low pressure and openness. Furthermore, current research explains a link between play behavior and cognitive function, or in other words, kids use play to find out what works. This happy and engaged state allows our brain to do “magical things” while trying to work out solutions to problems. When teachers and parents can infuse lessons with play, children are more willing to take cognitive risks and retain the lesson better (what fires together wires together).

In reflection of the importance of play, as a cognitive state, a learning tool, and in the development of children, MacKat suggests a revolution in schools. Very simply, our children grow up to be the adults that lead the country. Uninspired children not allowed to play grow up to be uninspired adults with unfulfilled cognitive potential. In order for any ability to flourish and survive, we need to use the abilities. Instead of cutting the more playful programs like music and PE in schools, we need to be directing more resources toward play. We need to shift our learning organizations in radically different ways and remember the importance and power of play.

We here at YES Spaces are fully behind this play revolution, and hope you are too. The potential to engage the power of play with your child starts at home. We’ve given you some resources over the past few weeks on activities to do with your child, and will continue to provide you with inspiration. And remember, the physical environment you provide for your child can make a huge impact and allow them to playfully engage every single day. That’s what YES Spaces is all about, helping you to create spaces within your home that nurture and inspire your child. As always, let us know if your want to learn more about the YES Spaces philosophy or about creating a room in your home.