Equipment Makers to Create Play Database
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association recently collaborated with the National Institute for Play to create a database of scientific, academic research supporting the importance of free, outdoor play.
The database, which was created “in recognition of the real-world application of play science to problems facing society today,” according to the association. It will be a free, online tool available to anyone interested in the science behind the “free play” movement — defined by the groups as the state in which children combine creative, imaginative and social play in an unstructured environment, such as in nature or at the local playground.
The database’s research includes the effect of human play deprivation, as well as evidence that increased playful body movement in all age groups lowers stress, facilitates better overall health and is linked to improved cognitive performance.Additional studies show that people who play using their hands, or fine motor skills, and participate in construction play activities enhance their problem-solving skills.
The NIFP will work with a team of Stanford University faculty and staff to develop the online tool, which officials say will cite dozens of individual, highly praised scientific findings.
The research comes from a variety of academic and scientific disciplines, including evolutionary biology, neuroscience, developmental and cognitive psychology, anthropology, and play-related clinical and observation-based projects.
“This database will provide a clearinghouse for findings that, when viewed together, create a cohesive picture about the proven benefits of play,” officials from the IPEMA said.
Stuart Brown, founder of the NIFP, said the project will help put into perspective the fact that play is an important health need of every human being. “It will show that human play has been a central process in the biological evolution of humans and support the growth of the discipline of play science,” he said.
Back by scientific evidence, IPEMA aims to expand recognition of the many forms of play to provide key stakeholders — including playground designers, teachers, administrators, parents, doctors, physical trainers and exercise physiologists — with evidence to inform and encourage more play.
“The NIFP-IPEMA Play Science Database is squarely in line with our overall goal to increase time for play on playgrounds,” said Tom Norquist, co-leader of the project and former president of the IPEMA. “By presenting play science evidence of the real-world need for play and the effects of play deprivation, we hope to encourage the public to apply the findings to their own lives and encourage adults to be creative about facilitating opportunities for play.”
The groups expect to complete the project in early 2012. It will be accessible from both the National Institute for Play and IPEMA’s Voice of Play websites.