By Megan Jensen, an employee of The Adoption Exchange
I have worked in the field of early childhood for over 25 years. Working with children is what I know and simply the best way for me to “fill my cup.” As a previous preschool director in both public and private settings, I was asked the same question year after year: “All they do is play here – what are they learning?”
Each time this question was posed to me, I would take a deep breath and begin a well-memorized verse: “It’s clear that education is really important to you and your family. I would love to fill you in on a secret that most adults don’t know. The very best way your child is going to learn mathematics, science, literacy, language, and how to become a good human in general is through PLAY!” It’s very easy for me to talk about the importance of play when it comes to learning, and it’s even more powerful when I transfer this knowledge to the power of play as a tool for healing.
Life in the United States is hard right now. It’s hard to exist in a space of worry, it’s hard to be cooped up in your home and have all the activities you have been anticipating taken away from you, and it’s really hard to exist in a world with so much social injustice, particularly with regards to race. While not everyone has a trauma history or lives with a child who has experienced trauma, it can be argued that we are all experiencing varying degrees of trauma right now. It’s critical to remind ourselves of that little secret once more: The VERY BEST way for us to heal and become good humans is through PLAY!
You might be wondering how I can even think about playing with all that is going on right now. You might be thinking that to go out and play is frivolous or even borderline insensitive. Perhaps you’re simply overwhelmed and cannot think of adding anything to your plate, as too many people are relying on you to be stable amid all the chaos and uncertainty. I, however, would argue that we all (especially our children) MUST find and reserve the time for simple, joyful play.
At The Adoption Exchange, we use the trauma-informed model TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention®) developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross. Dr. Purvis explained, “Play disarms fear, builds connectedness, and teaches social skills and competencies for life.” Through TBRI®, we have discovered that children cannot heal from their trauma until their stories have been acknowledged and discussed. For various reasons including age, mastery of language, and brain development, talk therapy is not necessarily an effective way to address unresolved trauma for our youth. Play, however, magically bridges this gap and helps children begin the journey of deeper healing.
Research also tells us that when we experience joy, our brain releases the good chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) throughout our bodies. These chemicals directly boost our immune system, fight stress and pain, and promote a healthier lifestyle in general. It is important to note that when a child is in a state of fear, they cannot engage in play without help from adults. This makes it even more imperative that we pause and preserve a space to play with the precious children we love and care about.
At this moment, we all have a choice regarding how to move forward during a global pandemic and a world grappling with the reality of longstanding racial inequity. The good news is that play is accessible to all of us – regardless of color, social class, or status. Play is a language that transcends ages, cultural backgrounds, and linguistic barriers. Best of all, play doesn’t need to be extravagant or complex to give our bodies the benefits it provides; you have the power to create this scenario in your home right now! Try putting down your phone and looking at your child with kind, warm eyes; draw someone close and give them a playful hug; get down on the floor and play a game of rock-paper-scissors; get dressed up and have a photo shoot; turn on some music and just dance in the kitchen!
Today, I am presenting a challenge for all of us: Put down your to-do list, disconnect from technology…and JUST GO PLAY!
Megan Jensen
M.A. Early Childhood Education
Family Support Services Professional at The Adoption Exchange
Resources:
- Article: “The Benefits of Play in Cognitive Development“
- Article: “This Is How Joy Affects Your Body“