the science of PLAY

Play is fundamental to childhood development and has a positive impact on multiple aspects of life, regardless of age. Play state begins in the midbrain, similar to hunger, fear and caring. When we play, neurons light up the midbrain and cause a cascade of connections that fire across the brain.

Play increases motivation: Play naturally promotes motivation to engage in physical activity and movement.

Play encourages collaboration: Play offers opportunities to work together with peers, often creatively, while improving communication.

Play promotes essential skills: Play supports the development of life-skills like emotional intelligence, self-reliance, diplomacy, leadership and the diplomacy and leadership. The positive impacts of early-childhood play can be experienced throughout life.

Play supports learning: Play is an effective medium for learning, making the process not only favorable but more effective.

pro tips:

How can we incorporate more play into our POUND classes? Here’s a few ideas!

Class themes: Class themes can include costumes (maybe even with an after class social), lighting and decor, track choices, give-ways and more. Get creative and PLAY!

Contests: Contests can transform regular class participation or participation into a game! Class bingo cards, printed offers hiding under random class mats, and rocking a POUND move and posting it to socials after classes, are all fun ideas for contests in class.

Light-hearted competitions: Class competitions, that are ideally NOT performance-based, can be another great way to incorporate more PLAY into your classes. Think Ripstix spins, rockstar poses, acapella encores, track trivia and more!