To be a developmentalist requires more than just knowledge of developmental science including neuroscience, emotional regulation, play, psychology, and a deep understanding of attachment and human relationships.
It is a way of seeing a child, a teen, an adult, or parent, and making
sense of behaviour, emotions, learning or relational issues at a root level and from the inside out.
“All work and no play make Jack a very dull boy”
(James Howell, Proverbs in English)
What is the role of play in children’s lives and why would we want to make room for it? Play is often seen as free time that is spent without care and work. They formed some of my happiest memories as a child and I can still see my swing-set that took me on journeys beyond my backyard. Moments spent in play are a luxury and are only present when the relational needs of a child are being met. These times are critical for brain development as it is when children form neural networks that are involved in later problem solving and creativity. Research on children who lack environments that foster play, have brains that are 20 to 30% less developed in capacity. Play is not empty time; it is how children build the brains that are required for work and learning. All play is not created equal; it’s not about the toys, the stimulation, and the