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play

·August 28, 2024·2 min read

Gender Nonconformity in Play Linked to ASD and Behavioral Problems

A new study reveals that gender nonconforming play behavior in 7-year-olds is associated with increased behavioral difficulties, including autistic traits in girls and peer relationship issues in boys. Researchers analyzed data from 718 children in Sweden, finding that masculine play in girls and feminine play in boys were linked to these challenges. While the study highlights potential associations, it emphasizes that nonconforming play does not imply future behavioral issues.

This shows little girls dressed as Disney princesses.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 8, 2023·6 min read

Disney Princesses Boost Kids’ Confidence and Play Diversity

A recent study suggests that a favorite Disney princess can positively influence young children's body confidence and diversify their play. The research classified princesses by body type, noting that kids who favored "average-bodied" princesses, like Moana, had heightened body esteem a year later and were more exploratory in their play.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 9, 2023·4 min read

All Work, No Independent Play Cause of Children’s Declining Mental Health

The rise in childhood mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression may be linked to the decline in opportunities to play, explore, and engage in activities independent of parental control and oversight.

This shows a boy and girl playing outdoors

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·December 17, 2022·5 min read

What Pretend Play Tells Us About Social Cognition

By the age of two, most children are able to embark on pretend play and adopt a perspective that does not fit reality. This enables children to develop the ability to attribute perspective to others that they don't share. Findings suggest the ability to adopt perspectives, an important aspect of developing social cognition and the attribution of mental state, is already present in young children.

This shows a little boy playing peak-a-boo

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 10, 2022·3 min read

Pretend Play Should Be Studied in Children From a Younger Age

When it comes to pretend play, infants perform interactional patterns with elements of pretense a lot earlier than previously believed. Researchers say pretend play should be considered an interpersonal feature of cognitive development, and not an end product.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 20, 2022·4 min read

Children Who Play Adventurously Have Better Mental Health

Adventurous play, especially when conducted outdoors, was associated with reduced anxiety and depression in children.

This shows a chalk drawing of a rainbow on a sidewalk

Featured Neuroscience

·February 20, 2022·3 min read

How Recess Helps Students Learn

The combination of physical activity and social interactions children experience during recess helps reduce stress and improve focus back in the classroom.

This shows a cartoon of children playing

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 12, 2022·5 min read

Learning Through Guided Play Can Be as Effective as Adult-Led Instruction up to at Least Age Eight

Study reports play-based learning may positively impact a young child's acquisition of math skills compared to direct teaching.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 29, 2021·4 min read

Let Babies Play! Free Play May Help Infants Learn and Develop

Researchers say letting infants play with everyday items within their environment can help them learn and develop.

This shows wooden dolls on different colored spots on the floor

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 9, 2021·6 min read

Fighting Dementia With Play

A newly developed play therapy platform is helping older adults with dementia improve a range of flagging cognitive skills from concentration to memory.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·October 2, 2020·4 min read

Doll Play Activates Brain Regions Associated With Empathy and Social Skills

Playing with dolls as a small child helps develop social skills and empathy. Doll play activates the posterior superior temporal sulcus, an area of the brain associated with social processing and behaviors.