The importance of play
During the summer, the Play Captains learn about a concept called Playful Learning. This framework outlines six important elements of play, that also facilitates learning. The six Cs of playful learning include: Communication, Collaboration, Content, Critical Thinking, Creative Innovation and Confidence.
A 2015 Times Magazine article: Playtime Isn’t Just for Preschoolers—Teenagers Need It, Too, describes the benefit of play for teens, and that it can foster "creative thinking, problem solving, independence, and perseverance, but also addresses teenagers’ developmental needs for greater independence and ownership in their learning, opportunities for physical activity and creative expression, and the ability to demonstrate competence."
In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a report highlighting the importance of play in a child's healthy development, and recommended that doctors begin to prescribe play to their patients. You can read and download the full report here.
This article: Taking Playtime Seriously, (2018, New York Times) features some of the work happening here in Philly through the Temple Play Lab with Dr. Hirsh-Pasek.
Adults need play, too! We hope that our Play Captains become playful adult. This article, Play Doesn't End With Childhood: Why Adults Need Recess Too (2014) explains why play is important for adults, too.