Play is a Lifelong Game
Adults often do not play nearly enough, but with the right intention, adults can begin to bring more play into their lives.
Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography
Benefits of Engaging in Play as an Adult
Engaging in playful activities is crucial for adults' growth and stress reduction. Play promotes creativity, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility, enabling adults to explore new ideas and experiment with different perspectives. Additionally, play is a form of self-care, providing a break from daily stressors and promoting mental and emotional well-being by fostering relaxation.
When adults engage in play, they help establish social bonds and reinforce community ties, and can improve their communications skills, empathy, and teamwork. Participating in group events and games fosters a sense of camaraderie, trust, and cooperation among participants. This type of interaction can dissolve barriers, promote inclusivity, and facilitate positive communication.
Play is also a respected field of scientific study for adults. The scientific understanding of play helps professionals design interventions, workshops, and training programs that harness the power of play to enhance adult development and well-being.
The Formal Operational Stage
The formal operational stage takes places from around 11 or 12 years old through adulthood, according to Jean Piaget’s Theory of Play.
During the beginning of the formal operational stage, individuals begin to understand abstract thought and can manipulate ideas in their heads.
They will also be able to do more complicated math and think creatively, and they can understand more complicated scientific ideas. They also can understand hypothetical scenarios and questions.
According to Piaget’s theory, once individuals reach the formal operational stage, they have attained the highest level of cognitive development, as defined by his model. However, this does not suggest a cognitive plateau.
Cognitive development is individual and influenced by a range of factors beyond mere biological maturation. The nature of human cognition always makes room for refinement, growth, and development throughout adulthood.
Furthermore, individual competence can vary greatly within the formal operational stage. For instance, a person might employ formal operational thinking in one area of life (such as their job) but not others.
Similarly, skills like problem-solving, logical reasoning, and handling abstract concepts can continue to improve with practice and experience.
Playful activities that help individuals to develop during the formal operational stage can include:
Rubik’s cubes
Chess
Games that involve strategy and thought
Sudoku puzzles
A multitude of books on different subjects
Taking classes on hobbies and deep-diving into hobbies
Conclusion
In conclusion, play is not limited to childhood and also tremendously benefits adults. It fuels personal growth, promotes social connections, and contributes to well-being. By embracing play, adults can tap into their creativity, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships. Additionally, the scientific study of play for adults provides valuable insights that inform professionals in diverse fields. Recognizing the importance of play throughout adulthood enables individuals and communities to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.
Resources about Play and Adults
Here are some additional resources to further explore the impact of play for adults:
Making Play Part of Adult Life, The National Institute for Play
How to Reclaim Your Playful Self and Find More Joy, Psychology Today
Adults can Find Joy Through Play, too, CNNHealth
Successful Aging: The Importance of Play for Stress Relief and Brain Function, Los Angeles Daily News
Plenty of Sleep, Healthy Meals and Exercise are Part of your Routine. What’s Missing?, CNNHealth
Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography
