Why Does Play Matter at Every Stage of Life?
This week at I Am Here, we’re asking: Why Does Play Matter at Every Stage of Life?
- How does play support our emotional wellbeing and resilience?
- Why do so many of us lose touch with play as we get older?
- How can playful moments help us stay connected, creative, and present?
Play isn’t frivolous. It’s a powerful part of how we learn, unwind, and relate to the world.
Whether it’s laughter, imagination, curiosity, or a moment of silliness, play helps us reset and reconnect with what makes us feel human.
What Are We Watching This Week?
This week, we’re watching seven-year-old Molly Wright’s TED Talk: ‘How every child can thrive by five.’
‘What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?’ she asks, becoming one of the youngest TED speakers ever.
Molly explains the science behind play, showing how simple moments of connection and interaction shape healthy development and lifelong wellbeing.
With help from one-year-old Ari and his dad, she brings big ideas to life—reminding us that play builds empathy, resilience, curiosity, and strong relationships at any age.
Watch the full video here (7-minute watch)
What Are We Reading This Week?
We’re reading Why You Need to Play Today by Cas Holman in Psychology Today. It’s a warm, insightful piece that invites us to rethink how important play is to both children and adults.
Holman explores how playful moments—big or small—can lift our mood, reduce stress, and spark new ways of thinking. She reminds us that play isn’t about winning, achieving, or ticking a box. It’s about presence, curiosity, and joy. It’s about giving ourselves permission to switch off the ‘productive’ part of our brain and simply enjoy being human.
The article asks a powerful question: When was the last time you played without purpose? No goals. No expectations. Just fun. Bringing even a little of that back into our lives can make a real difference to our mental health and wellbeing.
Read the full article here (4-minute read)
Who Are We Quoting This Week?
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
– George Bernard Shaw
At I Am Here, we believe play helps us stay Real—with ourselves and with each other.
It reminds us to slow down, reconnect with joy, and look after our emotional wellbeing in simple, meaningful ways.
Do you have play in your day? If so, how do you incorporate it? If not, are there ways you can incorporate it? We’d love to hear hear. Reply to us with your thoughts—we read every message.