Play is often trivialized, however, it is a wonderful tool for learning, growth, self-development, connection, relationship, innovation, creativity and so much more. In some ways it can be thought of as a language. Recently I was asked for some play resources for adults to use in their personal or professional lives, and I thought I would share some of my resources with you.
First, here’s a bit of my backstory. I got into play by chance. I won’t go into the story here, but one day I was asked a question about how I’d made a significant lifestyle change. I’d never been asked that question before and so I gave an off-the-cuff answer. But later when I was driving home, I realized my mistake. I’d never mentioned play! It was at that point that I began consciously to cultivate a play practice whereas before I was building a play practice and hadn’t realized it. I found I was using play, as a tool, to make changes in my life in all kinds of ways – in the moment, in the conversation, and long term.
While I continued to build my more official play practice, I also began to read about play. There are so many books to read! These books are often written for early childhood educators and sometimes parents and can be a fabulous resource for the individual! I’ve read and processed many of them. If you wish to learn to use play as a tool and/or add more play into your life you might:
- build a play practice of your own
- read, process and play with the ideas you find in books on play for early childhood educators and/or parents, or books that get your curiosity or wonder in high gear
- learn more about Applied Improv
- ask my two favorite questions
Build a play practice. When it comes to play, our biggest resource is ourselves. We are the experts here. If you look around you will find a lot of invitations to play, and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time. I built my skills in moments here and there and in some extended play periods over time and in situations where I applied play, as a tool, to learn, grow, connect, find ease and more. Play is a highly personal thing! What is play for one, may not be play for another. For example, weeding might be playful for one person, exploring hurling (a sport) might be play for another. Tips to build a play practice of your own:
- Follow your curiosity, sense of wonder – your playfulness – and see where it leads.
- Go on a play hunt. Simply be aware of it as you travel your world. When are you involved in play? When do you or another extend an invitation to play? What do you find playful?
- Make play a priority for a minute or more every day.
- Ask yourself, “How can I play in this moment? In this situation?”
- Actively look to use play and apply it to the changes you want to make in your life.
- Your practice is unique to you. Explore and find out what is playful for you.
- Consider the question, “Is there anything I/we can’t play with?”
- Find out what your recipes for play are.
Books:
- Play ~ How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, by Stuart Brown.
- Improv Wisdom ~ Don’t Prepare, Just Show up by Patricia Ryan Madson.
- The books you love reading or exploring.
Applied Improv. Improv and/or applied improv can be a form of play. There are many practitioners who use Improv in organizations, for corporate education and in other ways – even in Zoom meetings. That said, improv and/or play is something that needs to be practiced on a regular basis. It doesn’t necessarily take a lot of time, but it does take consistency. You can hire people to come in and people can learn this or that – it can be fun and playful and team building, etc., but if you and/or your team or organization isn’t putting it into practice you may not get the benefits you would like. If you have a specific interest or need for someone, let me know and I may be able to make a connection for you or share additional resources.
My two favorite questions. I’ve found these questions both practical and helpful to ask as the day moseys by, as experiences are encountered, even during conversations – actually anytime.
- How can I play with this?
- Is there anything I can’t play with?
Enjoy the resources, the stories, and have a playful day!
Mary
P.S. If a pickle was a fork, then it would be stored in a jar with brine?
