Play: The vehicle for learning

Phil Johnson is a strength and conditioning coach and human performance specialist. He describes himself as a neuroscience nerd. Phil is a dad, an independent researcher and scholar and PLAY advocate. He works as an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa.

During this episode Phil and I explore the dynamic relationship between play, evolution, learning and the brain. We discussed:

• What is missing in education and why it’s important to be self driven in learning
• The factors needed in your environment to support play
• How fear, stress and nutrition impact play.

We also discussed the personal impact that the forced educational environment had on Phil growing up. This impact is a “why” behind his PLAY advocacy.

Play Across Studies

In University Phil fell in love with his studies. His love of learning sparked. He was pursuing his interests. He also found positive mentors that encouraged him to appreciate his unique differences.

But a class called “Perspective on Leisure and Play” caught Phil’s attention. In this class the connection between the science of play and the science of adaptation (Strength and conditioning) was made. It was the first time in Phil’s life that he was introduced to play on a biological perspective.

That was the start of Phil’s research journey. This journey has linked play to psychology, anthropology, social sciences and neuroscience. Phil says that play is not unique to just humans or mammals. It is a primary system deep within the brain. Play is the vehicle for learning.

Phil encourages parents to help support play and to model playful behaviour. “Humans are meant to be playful. Exuberant. Curious and question asking until the day we die”.

If you would like to learn more about Play and Self Directed Learning listen to my episode with Peter Gray.

References

Phil’s website: Got Strength

Ashley Montagu

Growing Young- Ashley Montagu

Jaak Panksepp- The Importance of Play

Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions

The Archeology of Mind: Neural Origins of Human Emotions

Paul D MacLean-The Triune brain

Dayna Martin

Stuart Brown M.D.