I think you should take your job seriously, but not yourself – that is the best combination.
– Judi Dench

In her Psychology Today article, “Creating Space for Play as Grown-Ups and Why it Matters,” Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, Ed. D, writes that “despite the belief that play is not a productive use of time and only for children, research highlights its significance for adults. Play can be an important source of both relaxation and stimulation for adults. Research shows that play relieves stress, fuels creativity, imagination, and problem-solving abilities, and facilitates happiness and well-being. Play is also a gateway to empathy, communication, and relationships. It reinforces the ties that bind us together and helps to create a sense of community. …Many workplaces have integrated playful elements into the working environment to enhance employee engagement and productivity.”

The Out of the Box Training, “Playfulness at Work,” helps answer the question, “How can adults play at work?” This training provides strategies that can help early childhood leaders incorporate playfulness into their work communities to enhance engagement and collaboration.

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe has this to say to leaders (all of us, really):

“It’s going to take intention to prioritize play as a key element of your well-being. It will likely require you to step outside of your comfort zone and let go of what you think you ‘should’ or ‘ought’ to be doing instead. Once we remove some of these barriers and limitations, then we can truly experience the benefits of play.”