Play As A Prescription for the Adult Brain

A Prescription for Cognitive Dissonance

Dr. Linda Karges-Bone, Education InSite

 “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” Diane Ackerman

 Once the foundational strategy for early childhood education exclusively, play has become the fashionable health choice for adults. The studies line up and research now suggests that for adult brains, especially those with some seniority, play is not a luxury, but a downright necessity. For the savvy, exhausted adult, using play as a prescription for mental health make sense. If you are a principal, setting up a faculty meeting for tired teachers or a corporate planner, organizing an event, or an R&D leader, trying to stimulate neurons , play is prescriptive.

Let’s examine the research to see what all the fuss is about, and then explore a half dozen simple, yet effective play strategies that might satisfy the discerning adult brain.

According to Dr. Stuart Brown Director of the National Institute for Play: “"Play is something done for its own sake," he explains. "It's voluntary, it's pleasurable, it offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time. And the act itself is more important than the outcome." Interestingly, Canadian writer Dominique Lamberton notes in a recent article in the July 2016 issue of “Chatelaine”, that “Adults only camps, preschools, and playgrounds are allowing grownups to tap into the joy-and health benefits –that play can bring”. https://www.nifplay.org/

In a best-selling book, Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time , author Brigid Schulte explores the delicate balance between work and play in the prefrontal cortex. Play triggers creativity, which strengthens the front of the brain and downplays the negative impact of structures like the amygdalas. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/review-overwhelmed-work-love-and-play-when-no-one-has-the-time-by-brigid-schulte/2014/03/21/f5649324-9e6f-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html?utm_term=.da8622a5d2eb

 What are the benefits of play? I think the word NEW can be tapped to outline the rationale for adult play.

 N….Neurogenesis. The hippocampus in the adult brain produces 1400 fresh, new Neurons ( brain cells) daily and that amount does not seem to decline much with age. New events and sensory stimulation may play a role in prompting neurogenesis, which is essential for healthy aging. https://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/35902/title/Human-Adult-Neurogenesis-Revealed/

E…….Experiential Learning and Episodic Memories. These two “E Words” are essential to understanding the rationale for adult play. First, we learn best by doing, that is engaging in experiences that are sensory and fulfilling. Finally, when the limbic system of the brain is tapped during an experience, either in a traumatic or joyful way, the experience sticks in long term memory, creating an “episodic memory”. Laughing with a group of friends while playing a card game. The scent of mulled cider during an Autumn board game session. Feeling the sticky texture of bubble mixture and the warm sun while dipping empty strawberry baskets and making giant bubbles. All of these experiences, rich with texture and tang trigger episodic memories which strengthen the brain.

 W….White Space. A psychological term used to define unstructured time in which the brain can be creative. Adequate white space is essential for all brains, but especially senior brains that can be assaulted by medications and other toxins, such as the stress hormone cortisol. Think of white space not as “empty”, but as unstructured free space in which brains can rest and make previously unseen connections.

 Now that you have the science of play in place, let’s explore a few classic play experiences with a twist.

 #1: Pass the Play Dough Please. Play dough is not just for pre-school. The color and texture delight all brains and working the dough is excellent for strengthening aging muscles and joints and for rehab in general. Put waxed paper down on a work space and supply rolling pins, cookie cutters, and other craft tools and allow free play. Try spicing things up a bit to intrigue the limbic system even further, and massage in an essential oil such as lemon or peppermint into the dough.

 #2: Bubbling Over With Fun. I use bubbles routinely in corporate creativity sessions. A bottle of bubbles in the center of each table seems to free up stiff minds when executives are instructed to blow some bubbles when they want to share an idea with the group. In a less structured setting, take it outside and fill buckets with a mixture and use empty berry baskets to make the bubbles. These are much easier to hold and produce large, unique bubbles. I am embedding an awesome link to a whole page of simple bubble solutions. https://bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html

 Here is one to try for an easy bubble cocktail :

Majic's Big Bubble Recipe

from the Jamico web site 

Fills a gallon milk jug: 

11 Cups Water

4 Cups Ajax dish soap (anti-bacterial works best)

1 Cup corn syrup

 #3: Egg-Cellent Activity Time. In my 2015 book “Brain Tips”, I recommend using colorful, plastic eggs for creative and critical thinking in middle grades. Seniors, and not those in high school, love them as well. Here are a few strategies:

*Put an interesting word in each egg. Use simple “post it” notes and print the words in large scripts. Then, instruct participants to find someone with an egg of the same color and attempt to use both words in a sentence that makes sense.

*In another version of “match the color”, put numbers in the eggs and then instruct participants to add/subtract/multiply/ or divide with their pair of numbers.

*You can also put famous sayings or events in eggs and their matching “people” in eggs of the same color. Here are some examples to try:

 *Winston Churchill / “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”/ WW2

*Barak Obama/ First African American President

*Eleanor Roosevelt/”A woman is like a tea bag. You can’t tell how 

 strong she is until you put her in hot water. / President’s wife

*Winnie the Pooh/ Christopher Robin/ The Hundred Acre Woods

*Peanut Butter/ Jelly

*Emerson/”Always do what you are afraid to do”

 #4: Showered With Fun . This one uses re-purposed materials including old vinyl shower curtains and inexpensive cans of shaving cream. Simply drape the shower curtain over a picnic table outdoors ( my favorite) or a worktable indoors. Chill cans of shaving cream and then squeeze out generous globs on the curtain. The menthol scent and cool, soft textures give the limbic system a free ride! Playful participants can write their names or messages or draw as they wish.

 #5: Beach Ball Brain Toss. Again, from my book “Brain Tips”, vinyl beach balls are called into cognitive and social service. Take the empty vinyl ball and write prompts on the sides. I will give some suggestions in the box below, but the idea is to have participants toss the ball and respond by answering or acting out the prompt. This is both a bodily-kinesthetic and social learning activity, both featured in the research on play for adult brains. https://www.lorenzeducationalpress.com/product.aspx?id=ELE90/1096

Playful Brain Ball Prompts

• Clap three times
• Say a nursery rhyme
• Name your favorite flavor of ice cream
• Count to 10 backwards
• Act out the name of an animal ( charade).

 #6: Chalk It Up to Play Using large, colorful pieces of sidewalk chalk evokes playful feelings just by holding them in one’s hands. There are a number of simple ways to stimulate creative thinking and relaxation with this tool. You can:

*Give out individual chalkboards and create one’s name in color

*Draw on black or dark blue construction paper

*Use stencils with sidewalk chalk to make decorations for an   

 upcoming holiday, such as starts for a patriotic day or a winter 

 celebration.

These are just a few items that can be repurposed for adult playtime. Take a look around your home, garden, and pool areas. What could you do with the following?

• Pool Noodles
• Wooden Spoons
• Bean Bags
• Oven Mitts
• Fabric
• Glitter
• Playing Cards

Wrapping up this playful piece, remember that the adult brain at play seeks three things: novelty, social interaction, and a break from competition. Keep your play-dates relaxed, innovative, and social and the cognitive and creative results will be inspiring. Find out more about corporate or educational workshops on the brain and creativity at www.educationinsite.com