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We Champion Play as a Lifelong Necessity

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Newsletter

split image - left, female sitting at desk b&w; right female in bright sunlight painting joyfully color

The June newsletter includes a Play Note on how adults can reclaim joy and a profile of Jaak Panksepp, the neuroscientist who showed that play is part of our biology. Play News announces a webinar with Dr. Brown, summarizes an article on play from Harvard Business Review and links to play journals.

Report

Cover of the report "The Power of Play - LOSING AND FINDING OURSELVES THROUGH EVERYDAY PLAY

The Power of Play report, authored by two renowned Play experts, refers to decades of research to show that play grows our brains, unleashes our creativity, facilitates relationships, and contributes to overall well-being.

Webinar

Play as a Healing Modality: A Playful Path to Bridging Divides and Strengthening Bonds

A conversation between Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, and Elaine Chung, founder of Beyond The Change a creative studio focused on designing personalized play experiences.

Podcast

Each month, we share a podcast version of our monthly Play Notes. The current episode, based on our June Play Note explains how play can be lost as we grow from child to adult and provides guiding questions for how to reclaim the joy of childhood play. 

Our Work

What is Play?

Understand the basics of play as a state of mind.

Play for Children

Resources for educators, parents, and caregivers.

Play for Adults

Find suggestions for incorporating more play into your daily life.

Play in Early Education

Discover the power of play-based learning in early childhood education.

Your Play Nature

Check out these questions to identify your personal play nature.

Play Personalities

Learn about the eight Play Personalities developed by Dr. Stuart Brown.

What We Know So Far

Read our summary of key findings from a diverse body of play research.

For Doctors & Therapists

Learn about the Practitioners Prescribing Play (PPP) Program.

Books on Play

Explore our library of over 100 fundamental books on play.

Play Organizations

Browse our directory of play practitioners, publishers, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and more.

Science of Play

See the wide array of play research conducted globally across over twenty scientific disciplines.

Play Researchers

Check out our profiles of the most influential figures in the field of play.

All of These People Are Playing

Do you recognize play when you see it?

Support the Power of Play Today

Your contributions sustain our mission to provide the latest news and resources in the field of play.

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The Institute wants the world to know:
A) Playing, being playful, is the healthiest way to spend your time (after feeding and housing yourself).
B) The activities that evoke playful feelings are unique to each of us.

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