The Importance of Play

Audience: Primary Years Programme
Audience: Middle Years Programme
Audience: Diploma Programme
Audience: Research
Audience: General Interest
Session: Block 2: Friday 2:00 to 3:15, Room: Seacliff A and B

The National Institute for Play believes that as play is woven into the fabric of social practices, it will dramatically transform the education we provide our children. In this session, its founder Dr Stuart Brown, will illustrate how play can be a catalyst for learning at any age. When students have fun at learning, they continue to pursue it for its own sake. There is general consensus that education is in trouble, that skills and drills - no child left behind, diminished recess, art and music curricular designs leave students and teachers unsatisfied and not having much fun. Dr Brown will discuss some of the innovative initiatives that the Institute is involved with to encourage play-based learning and heighten overall long-term performance.


Stuart Brown, Founder, National Institute for Play

Stuart Brown MD is the founder of the National Institute for Play, where he speaks, consults and educates organizations, corporations, universities, and public policy makers about the importance of play in our lives and the unexpected, serious consequences that occur when play is neglected. His background in psychiatry, the evolution of human and animal play, as well as his clinical research into the causes and prevention of violence, have shown him that authentic play is a state of being which can be accessed and used by everyone, and that play is as important to humans as vitamins or sleep.