The Story Behind Intergenerational Play

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.

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

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.

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

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.

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

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.

Resources about Play and Adults

Here are some additional resources to further explore the impact of play for adults:

• Making Play Part of Adult Life, The National Institute for Play

• How to Reclaim Your Playful Self and Find More Joy, Psychology Today

• Adults can Find Joy Through Play, too, CNNHealth

• Successful Aging: The Importance of Play for Stress Relief and Brain Function, Los Angeles Daily News

• Plenty of Sleep, Healthy Meals and Exercise are Part of your Routine. What’s Missing?, CNNHealth

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health

As children’s first teachers, parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting their children’s healthy development. While it may sound like a big task, the first step is simple: incorporate developmentally appropriate activities into your daily routines!

Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health

According to the DAP series created by Trying Together, children’s early experiences play a critical role in their physical development. To best support growth, children need:

• Access to fresh, healthy foods to receive the proper nutrition they need to grow;

• At least one to two hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity or active play daily, depending on age;

• Caring and supporting relationships with others in environments that don’t impose high stress and;

• Regular health screenings and wellness exams to monitor healthy growth and development.

Play promotes healthy physical development by enhancing gross motor skills, like running, jumping, and climbing, which proves crucial for coordination, balance, and strength. Additionally, engaging in physical activities at a young age creates a strong foundation for maintaining an active lifestyle throughout life, leading to better physical fitness in the long run.

Engaging in physical play is beneficial for cognitive development in children. It stimulates their brains, promotes the growth of neural connections, and enhances cognitive abilities. Active play also helps develop problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and executive functions, such as planning, decision-making, and self-control.

Engaging in physical play is essential for a child's physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. It allows children to learn vital skills such as interacting with peers, cooperating, taking turns, and negotiating. These skills, in turn, help foster social skills and empathy.

Educators and caregivers can support the overall development of children by incorporating physical play into their practices. The infusion of both of these things helps children thrive physically, cognitively, and socially. Regular opportunities for active play are essential, and it's crucial to prioritize this aspect to ensure children can access the benefits of an active lifestyle from a young age.

This resource is available as a printable PDF (English) (Español).

To learn more about DAP and play, visit Trying Together’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices webpage.

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

How I’m Enjoying My Playful Summer

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

A Message from Adam James, Assistant Director

Summer provides many opportunities to enjoy, discover, and sometimes rediscover our playful side in many unique ways.

Have you explored the Kidsburgh-promoted activities? They offer a fantastic range of engaging experiences for children and their families. Have you visited your favorite Pittsburgh Park and strolled under the cool shade of towering trees? Or have you indulged in some wet and wild imaginative adventures at our local swimming holes or spray parks, finding relief from the summer heat? What about the renowned museums Pittsburgh has to offer? Have you ventured to one of these cultural havens to marvel at their treasures and escape the sun's scorching rays?

Visiting Kennywood Park

Speaking from personal experience, I find joy in indoor activities. The sweltering sun is too intense for me. However, this year, I've discovered immense delight in regular visits to Kennywood Park! Coincidentally, my partner and I recently moved to Swissvale, positioning us just ten minutes away from this nationally recognized amusement park. The allure of Kennywood, with its thrilling rides (and mouth-watering Potato Patch Fries!), never fails to captivate me. And the park consistently offers new and exciting attractions that keep the excitement alive.

Exploring Museums During Summer

When I'm not wandering through Kennywood's gorgeous grounds, you might find me immersing myself in the wonders of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History or Carnegie Museum of Art. These cultural gems constantly unveil new exhibitions, ensuring every visit feels unique and enthralling. The rotating art displays allow me to pause, reflect, and appreciate different pieces depending on my mood. Meanwhile, the Museum of Natural Museum presents abundant knowledge and fascinating discoveries, always leaving me eager to return for more enriching experiences. I encourage you to explore these incredible spaces and immerse yourself in their captivating offerings. These cultural locations also offer regular events, so be sure to check their events calendars for more summer programming information.

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

Summer is a time for adventure, discovery, and embracing the playful spirit within us. We at Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative are here to inspire and guide you toward memorable experiences. Whether you soak up the sun's warmth or seek solace in air-conditioned havens, we hope this summer brings you joy, laughter, and countless moments of playful wonder.

2023 Summer Play Resources

Want to find out what’s happening this Summer? Visit the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Summer Play Resources page for more!

DAP Dive Series: Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)

Photo Credit: Crystal Joy Photography

Developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) encompass a set of guidelines and principles that promote optimal learning experiences for young children. At the heart of DAP lies the recognition of the crucial role of play in a child's development. Play is a powerful tool that intersects with various aspects of developmentally appropriate practices, fostering growth in all domains.

Play is inherently child-centered, aligning with the principle of individualization. Children play based on their unique interests, abilities, and needs. This self-directed exploration allows them to exercise their autonomy and make choices, leading to a deeper understanding of their capabilities.

Play also facilitates social-emotional development by encouraging interactions and cultivating empathy. Children learn to negotiate, communicate, and resolve conflicts through cooperative play, developing critical social skills. They also explore and express their emotions, building self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

In addition, play supports cognitive development by stimulating curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Playful activities engage children in hands-on exploration, which promotes active learning and fosters creativity. Children experiment with different roles and perspectives as they construct imaginary scenarios, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and imagination.

Play also helps children develop physically by engaging in large and small movements. Movements include running, jumping, climbing, and manipulating objects, which all work together to build coordination, strength, and agility. Play also promotes healthy habits and an appreciation for an active lifestyle.

In summary, play is a powerful catalyst at the intersection of all developmentally appropriate practices. It empowers children to actively participate in learning, nurturing their social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. When we, as caregivers and educators, embrace play as an integral part of education and child development, we pave the way for holistic and meaningful experiences that optimize children's potential.

To learn more about DAP and play, visit Trying Together’s Developmentally Appropriate Practices webpage.

UPDATED: Summer 2023 Play Resources

Photo credit: Crystal Joy Photography

Summer has arrived, which means sunnier days, warmer weather, and a lot of opportunities to explore the world of play!

Whether you are hiking on a local park trail for a scavenger hunt, soaking in the fun at a pool or water park, or attending a arts or music festival, summer months gives us the perfect time to discover news hobbies, spend time with the ones you love, take a vacation adventure, and most important, get outside and play!

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative has collected the following inclusive resources to help you to enjoy the summer in various playful ways:

Summer Guides

• Pittsburgh City Paper's 2023 Summer Guide, Pittsburgh City Paper

• Your Kid-Friendly Guide to Nearly 100 Pittsburgh Summer Events, Many of Them Free, Kidsburgh

• CitiParks 2023 Summer Guide, CitiParks

• CitiParks Announces Summer Activity Schedules for Concerts, Movies, and More, CitiParks

• 2023 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Summer Programming Guide, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

• Summer Bucket List: 10 Things to Do in Pittsburgh, NEXTPittsburgh

• Our Guide to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Pools, NEXTPittsburgh

Summer Resources

• CitiParks Announces Free Pool Access for Area Youth, Trying Together

• Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together

• Strategies to Foster Risk Taking During Outdoor Play, Trying Together

• Summer Safety for Babies and Toddlers: Expert Advice on Heat and Sun Exposure, Kidsburgh

• 12 Great Swimming Pools in Pittsburgh and the Surrounding Region, Kidsburgh

• A Free Membership Just for Teens, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh