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Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative 7/27/23 Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative 7/27/23

The Story Behind Intergenerational Play

Through intergenerational play, adults and children can further their social bonds, develop lifelong skills like language cognition and problem-solving together, and discover more of the world around them.

The term intergenerational is often defined as a purposeful, regular exchange and learning between children and older people. This intergenerational sharing can bridge generational differences and provide mutual benefits, as well as counteract ageism and age-related stereotypes.

Why Intergenerational Play and Recreation is Important

As Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw famously said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow older; we grow older because we stop playing.” Play is not only beneficial but essential for people of all ages. Today, there is increasing interest in the benefits of not only play itself, but specifically people from younger and older generations playing together.

Research shows that play is essentially good for older adults: it promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and helps to maintain cognitive skills, such as memory and problem-solving. Active play for older adults helps to increase muscle tone, coordination, and reaction time. Adults who exercise regularly can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Intergenerational play is also the ideal setting for the family to bond with each other.

Older adults and children can engage together in numerous types of play, and no specific type of play is more beneficial than another. For example, ‘make-believe’ is one form of play where adults can, if they choose, effortlessly influence the development of a child’s social and moral values, through encouraging co-operation, honesty, and good sportsmanship. Generations can learn more about language development by playing with each other as it can help to improve social and communication skills.

Activities that are generally associated with intergenerational play can include puzzles, construction or building sets like stackable bricks and blocks, drawing, board games, arts and crafts, and story-telling. These activities help socially to develop bonds between adult and child, but also encourage imagination and sense of achievement.

Conclusion

Children can gain a lot when older adults take an active role in play. Children who play with older adults demonstrate more creativity and higher levels of language and problem-solving skills. For older adults, play has many psychological and health benefits, particularly when children are involved.

Through intergenerational play, older adults and children can further their social bonds, develop lifelong skills like language cognition and problem-solving together, and discover more of the world around them.

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative 7/27/23 Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative 7/27/23

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 life.

Adults often do not play nearly enough, but with the right intention, adults can begin to bring more play into their lives.

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.