The Power of Play

i know i just posted some videos about climbing. but this video is more than just about climbing:



I was looking for a good strong woman climber to study, and i found one. But this video shows me more than that. It shows me how we can connect through cultures by recreation. This is something we discuss in my Leisure in Contemporary Society class. There are many organizations that are sponsoring this sort of thing, bringing happiness and joy to places where children and people are suffering through recreation.
A pretty mainstream group is called "Right to Play International" -and here is there website- www.righttoplay.com
They go to many different countries around the world and implement play and sports organizations. This helps bring joy and meaning to the children there, children who have been through hard things (like civil wars and genocide). Play gives these children hope and allows them to be children. I recommend looking at Right to Play's videos.
There are many studies that talk about how play and leisure benefits the very basic parts of life.

There is also this book:
This is an amazing book that i recommend to anyone. It talks about the growing national, cultural, and human problem that the author, Richard Louv, identifies as Nature-Deficit Disorder. In this books many of societies problems are discussed, and the roots of these problems all lead back to the fact the we, as a culture and a people, do not have enough play time and that our children are suffering. He even discusses a study that put children with ADD and ADHD outside (in an area where they could run free and see green plants) for 45 minutes a day. The results show exactly the same effect as any ADD drug such as aderoll or ritalyn. Louv suggests that in most cases, outside time could be used as a direct remedy for hyperactivity.

Well, Duh. But i guess we need to hear it.
Further than that, play gives impoverished children (and adults) a reason to get up and be happy. This novel talks about the effects of putting at risk youth in adventure programs; the confidence and ability it fosters. After these programs, some kids change their life paths, pursuing education and healthy careers. But even if they don't, they have felt triumphant and strong.

Kids need chaos to form emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Play provides the chaos.


The more and more I learn about this field, the more I know its the right thing to do. So pick up Last Child in the Woods and look for some research on the power of play. It makes a difference.