Play is the Source of Everything that Makes Us Human

Even before they can walk, many, if not most, babies dance, bouncing their bodies to a rhythm. It's not the tango, but it's where the tango got its start. 

Even before they can read or write, many, if not most, children create poetry. I still remember a poem my brother "wrote" when he was no more than three:

I like cheese.

Cheese likes me,

Mice like cheese

Just like me.

It's not Homer, but it's where Homer began.

Even before they comprehend the meaning beyond their nursery walls, many, if not most, children develop unique and quirky rituals that help them make sense of the chaos of the world. It's not as if they've founded a religion, but it's where all of our spiritual and cultural rituals began.

Critics of play-based learning often wonder about the purpose of play. "What is it for?" "What are they learning?" "Isn't there something more productive they could be doing?"

In his classic book Homo Ludens cultural historian Johan Huizinga wrote: "Ritual grew up in sacred play; poetry was born in play and nourished on play; music and dancing were pure play."

The critics are missing the point when they ask for play's purpose. Play has no purpose. It is far older and foundational than anything else in human culture. Play is not the purpose, but rather the source of everything that makes us human. In human development, play has always come first.

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I've been writing about play-based learning almost every day for the past 14 years. I've recently gone back through the 4000+ blog posts(!) I've written since 2009. Here are my 10 favorite in a nifty free download. Click here to get yours.

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