Science of Play on Quirks and Quarks Today!

Today on CBC Radio One, Bob McDonald will be talking about the science of play. It is on at 12:06pm EST. You can listen to it live on the radio or online. Here is a description of today's show:

This Week on Quirks & Quarks

April 18, 2009.

Getting Serious About Play.

Play is one of those activities that seems to be both universal and instinctive. As far as we know, all children play, no matter what culture or country they come from. And many adults continue to play as they grow older. But some scientists are asking, why? What is the role of play in human development? What happens when children are deprived of play? We'll fool around with those ideas this week, as we examine the science of play.

Plus - Amazon ants: who needs males after all?

That's Quirks & Quarks, with host Bob McDonald, Saturday right after the noon news on Radio One, or anytime on our web page.

For more information or to catch the show online, go to CBC's Quirks and Quarks. The podcast of the show is also posted online after the show if you can't catch it live.

Comments

[Melodie]

I just posted my Carnival of Play piece here. http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com/2009/04/carnival-of-play-mucking-about/
Science has shown that imaginative play helps develop a part of the brain responsible for executive functioning, the part responsible for planning, making judgements, organizing, etc. Although I mostly talk about playing outside and refl;ect on my own memories, it is within the context of outside pretend play that I also discuss executive functioning.
I'm so enjoying this series and am glad to be a part of it.