The Pulse

Why We Play

Listen Later

You know what they say — all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And science seems to confirm that statement, with findings that play is as important for adults’ emotional health as it is for children’s development.

But what exactly counts as play? Who engages in it — and why is it so important? On this episode, we explore some of those questions. We’ll hear stories about rediscovering play as an adult, which animals play and why, and meet a reverend in her 70s who still jumps double dutch.

Also heard on this week’s episode:

  • Psychologist Kathy Hirsh Pasek explains why play is so important for children’s social and neurological development.
  • Harvard Kennedy School lecturer David Eaves on why he uses the game Werewolf — also known as Mafia — in the classroom, and what it has to teach us.
  • Reporter Nina Feldman investigates the lack of playgrounds in different neighborhoods, and what that means for the kids who live in them.
  • Reverend Malika Lee Whitney discusses her love for double dutch, and her program Double Dutch Dreamz, and how it’s improved both physical health and community bonds in Harlem.
    • ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    The PulseBy WHYY
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6

    4.6

    299 ratings

    More shows like The Pulse

    View all
    This American Life by This American Life

    This American Life

    91,117 Listeners

    TED Radio Hour by NPR

    TED Radio Hour

    22,041 Listeners

    Radiolab by WNYC Studios

    Radiolab

    43,994 Listeners

    Fresh Air by NPR

    Fresh Air

    38,492 Listeners

    Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

    Hidden Brain

    43,691 Listeners

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

    Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

    38,699 Listeners

    The Moth by The Moth

    The Moth

    27,255 Listeners

    Snap Judgment by Snap Judgment and PRX

    Snap Judgment

    11,612 Listeners

    Here & Now Anytime by NPR

    Here & Now Anytime

    1,004 Listeners

    Voices in the Family by WHYY

    Voices in the Family

    37 Listeners

    KERA's Think by KERA

    KERA's Think

    925 Listeners

    Death, Sex & Money by Slate Podcasts

    Death, Sex & Money

    7,738 Listeners

    Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

    Science Friday

    6,340 Listeners

    To The Best Of Our Knowledge by Wisconsin Public Radio

    To The Best Of Our Knowledge

    926 Listeners

    Throughline by NPR

    Throughline

    16,205 Listeners

    Short Wave by NPR

    Short Wave

    6,374 Listeners

    Eleanor Amplified by WHYY

    Eleanor Amplified

    2,205 Listeners

    A.I. Nation by WHYY

    A.I. Nation

    192 Listeners