What are you doing for self-help during this crazy time? Maybe it’s eating healthier, finding regular sleep rhythms or getting outside more.
Brene Brown challenges us to “Dare greatly.” Elizabeth Gilbert entreats us to: “Be the weirdo who dares to enjoy.” But it doesn’t have to be weird or dangerous to have fun, and it builds valuable social-emotional and practical skills. You can play! The kind of play I am talking about is:
Voluntary:
- Not assigned/time bound/externally labeled or evaluated
- Provides a failure-free/”choice” zone
- Participation is not explicitly required
Lets you/your kids agree to or make at least some of the rules:
- Can use existing sports, cards, games and ones you make up
- Allows changes to explore new ways of playing
- Reflects on and compares the old and new ways
Is its own reward:
- Allows spontaneity, imagination, exploration and discovery, even within structure
- Is experimental: Things that don’t work stimulate trying again (“Deliberate Practice”)
- Leads to “Flow”
- Builds “Growth Mindset” thinking
It builds resources just by playing:
- Encourages problem-solving skills/executive function skills/organization
- Stimulates imagination and exploration of specific interests
- Challenges (in a good way!) social-emotional skills: delaying gratification/cooperation/empathy
- Champions positive survival: competition, resilience
- Broadens and builds positive emotions: joy, interest, engagement, pride!
I talk with Senia Maymin, CEO of Silicon Valley Change Executive Coaching, about Play on her daily video podcast below. See more @mycoach.zone
