Play is a child’s occupation and has a profound impact on attachment and neuro-development. Therapeutic and developmental experiences benefit from a deeper understanding of the importance and impact of play. In this, the first episode of Season Two, my friend and colleague, Mim Ochsenbein, and I unpack The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play (author: Theresa A. Kestly). We highlight and define play while considering both the impact of play on brain development and the way that play in the context of relationships is powerful for driving development.
If you love the topic of play, be on the lookout for more posts on the topic. I can also deliver those posts directly to your inbox if you prefer.
Resources Mentioned In this episode:
Brown, S. L., & Vaughan, C. C. (2010). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Avery.
De Waal, F (2019). Mama’s last hug: Animal emotions and what they tell us about ourselves. W. W. Norton & Company.
Kestly, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of play: Brain-building interventions for emotional well-being (First ed., Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory: https://www.stephenporges.com/
Dan Siegel on Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://m.drdansiegel.com/about/interpersonal_neurobiology/
Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058