Name: Play is more than just fun
Uploaded: 2009-03-12T01:00:00Z
Duration: 26 min 20 s
Description: A pioneer in research on play, Dr. Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults -- and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age.

Stuart Brown: Play is more than just fun

Play is more than just fun

A pioneer in research on play, Dr. Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults -- and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age.

Play is far more than a childhood pastime; it fundamentally shapes brain development, creativity, and problem-solving skills across a lifetime. One striking example comes from a hungry polar bear and a husky, who override instinctual aggression through play signals and engage in a gentle ballet. Research shows that play deprivation in animals and humans can lead to emotional and cognitive deficits, even linking lack of play in childhood to troubling adult behaviors. By honoring play in many forms, from roughhousing to storytelling, people foster adaptability, trust, and lifelong well-being.