Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul

by Stuart M. Brown Jr. and Christopher Vaughan

Book Overview

Read Stuart Brown's posts on the Penguin Blog. From a leading expert, a groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our intelligence and happiness throughout our lives.We ve all seen the happiness in the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing with glee across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless and all-consuming. And, most important, it s "fun." As we become adults, taking time to play feels like a guilty pleasure a distraction from real work and life. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. In fact, our ability to play throughout life is the single most important factor in determining our success and happiness. Dr. Brown has spent his career studying animal behavior and conducting more than six thousand play histories of humans from all walks of life from serial murderers to Nobel Prize winners. Backed by the latest research, "Play" explains why play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intelligence, creativity, ability to problem solve, and more. Play is hardwired into our brains it is the mechanism by which we become resilient, smart, and adaptable people. Beyond play s role in our personal fulfillment, its benefits have profound implications for child development and the way we parent, education and social policy, business innovation, productivity, and even the future of our society. From new research suggesting the direct role of three-dimensional-object play in shaping our brains to animal studies showing the startling effects of the lack of play, Brown provides a sweeping look at the latest breakthroughs in our understanding of the importance of this behavior. A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1583333339
• ISBN13: 9781583333334
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Avery Publishing Group
• Length: 229 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Evolutionary, Social & Existential Value of Play Explained

A clearly presented, detail rich book on evolutionary valence of play. Brown examines the issue from a variety of perspectives: neural plasticity, social norming, existential meaning. Brown offers an excellent blueprint for leveraging meaning, productivity, quality of life and wellness through incorporating play. The book is rich with psychological, social and occupational implications. Brown - an erudite author and an effective writer - is able to quickly introduce complex empirical findings and scientific observations about significance of play without losing the playfulness of narrative. Readers interested in concepts of "flow" (Czikszentmihalyi) and "lateral thinking" (de Bono) will find this book of particular interest. Pavel Somov, Ph.D., author of "Eating the Moment" [..]

Excellent! - Ideas everyone should follow

Brown & Vaughn have written an excellent book. While it is fairly light reading it provides plenty of references for the value of play for those who require the reinforcement of rigorous studies. It provided many good suggestions for those who want to integrate more play into their lives. It also showed how upset "serious" people can get about this foreign notion that play is good for you. So read it for yourself and don't tell the "serious" people what you're doing!

Excellent, let's all go out and play!

I picked up this book because I felt I needed more "play" in my life. And I am glad that I did. Dr. Brown explains the importance of "play" in our lives; not just in our personal lives but also in our work lives. Dr. Brown has done extensive research and provides actual case stories which provide insights in living a successful and productive life. "Play" in our lives bring fulfillment and joy in being who we are and what we do. I recommend this book to anyone who is trapped in a life of all work and no play!

a modern & current read

I am currently reading this book. It is a wonderful addition to other books on play. However, very different as this focuses on all types of play for adults & animals alike. I recommend this to anyone that still has a playful side within & can remember the child that has grown!

Play is the key to a successful life

This is one of the best books I have read recently. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! I've always believed "play" is the key to a successful life. The successful people I know enjoy playing( including my husband who is "the Kinesthete", "The Explorer", "The Collector", "The Artist/Creator", and "The Storyteller" according to Dr. Brown's play personality) even though they are busier than average Americans. On the other hand, the people who have rigid attitude towards "play" (they even make family members feel guilty about it!) are not as successful as above, even though they "earned highest grades at the best schools". This contrast becomes even more prominent when we become middle age. People who enjoy playing are not only more successful, but also happier. Dr. Brown explains why this "'nonproductive activity can make one enormously more productive and invigorated in other aspects of life" with scientific evidence and full of interesting anecdotes. It will persuade you not to feel guilty pursuing your dream or enjoying your life because it will make you and your kids more successful and happier.