intergen play circle

the power of play

The Intergen Play Circle™ will connect generations together by creating mutual learning opportunities through collaborative projects. Mentorship, networking, skill exchange, and celebrating diversity will all become the underlying outcomes. Circles will include, but are not limited to, playoga™, music and movement based expressive arts projects, as well as sensory storymaking.

The values behind the Intergen Play Circle are based on curiosity, creativity, playfulness, camaraderie, and mutual respect.

The mission of the Intergen Play Circle is to create inclusive spaces that encourage individuals of all ages to reconnect with their inner child through meaningful and tactile play experiences. By fostering intergenerational interactions and creative exploration, we will aim to promote childlike wonder, well-being, and a sense of community.

Why focus on play?

As a graphic designer, I've experimented with tactile materials like typeset, hand lettering, screen printing, and digital/multimedia tools to enhance my projects. However, as I transitioned between careers, I moved farther away from the tactile and playful quality of art and design. I miss the happy accidents that came from not being able to easily delete or reverse my actions.

As a parent, I have caught myself saying things like, "Stop being childish," "Act your age," and "When will you grow up?" However, I have also caught myself wondering, why? Why is there so much emphasis on growing up and leaving behind our childlike qualities?

As I moved into the new role of an empty nester, I witnessed a change in my own ecosystem. Neighborhoods that were busy with kids playing in their front yards were suddenly devoid of cacophony. Weekends, once filled with the squeals and chatter of middle and high schoolers, had fallen silent. What is being left behind in our desire to grow up?

When my younger son was going through cancer treatment, there were many days when he did not want to get out of bed. But a little tickle brought giggles, which changed the trajectory of the day. After he passed away, I had many such days when I did not want to get out of bed. My sister would manage to bring a smile to my face by playing some happy music coupled with a silly jig, luring me to join her.

I believe that the lack of play is the root cause of loneliness. Play = laughter, silliness, positivity, and togetherness. Life without Play = loneliness, internalization, and pessimism. My life experiences around loss and grief and the role positivity played, led me to dig deeper to validate my hypothesis.

In his 2017 Harvard Business Review article, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighted the epidemic of loneliness despite our increased connectivity. “Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives.”

What does research say about play?

According to an article in HelpGuide by Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. and Jennifer Shubin

Play helps:

• Relieve stress.

• Improve brain function.

• Stimulate the mind and boost creativity.

• Improve relationships and your connection to others.

• Keep you feeling young and energetic.

Another research paper from the the Journal of Play in Adulthood asked this question, “What does it mean to you to be playful?”  Using thematic analyses, five main themes emerged: A Positive Outlook, Activities, Relationships, Humor, and Experiencing Life. Their findings show the integral role that being playful provides in adults’ lives, and provide guideposts for future research on play and playfulness as essential strengths that enable individuals to thrive and make meaning and emotional connections with others in their lives.

So what next?

I conducted informal stakeholder research on Play and Self-Care for this project, interviewing people of varying age groups. Stakeholders mentioned that as one transitions into adulthood, a cookie-cutter approach often takes over, and play and risks become more organized.

Another observation from my research concerns self-care. Overwhelmingly, I heard that the way Gen Z advocates for themselves is completely different from the Silent Generation and the Sandwich Generation.

Based on my initial research and experiences, I aim to create Play Circles that promote creative and playful intergenerational exchange to encourage social connection, physical activity, and cognitive stimulation.

With Play at the center of this inquiry, the Intergen Play Circle will revolve around mutual interests like graphic design, citizen science, yoga, hiking, cooking/eating, and conversation. Evaluation and feedback will be integral to our learning and growth, allowing us to make adjustments and improvements to the program over time.

Join me

I’m looking for Co-Playwalas (meaning, play facilitator). Reach out to me if you’d like to collaborate as a researcher or as a Play facilitator.

Click on Chalk Play to read about my hopscotch social experiment.