The six-step process of play
Fascinated by this six-step process of play, I’m curious to learn if it correlates with other processes in our lives, and if the steps, on their own, would inspire us to play more.
In my research for the 4P Principle, I recently came across the following six-step process of play, as set out by Stuart Brown in Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul.
“Scott Eberle, an intellectual historian of play and Emeritus Vice President at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has come up with the following framework for play. While he does not believe that every player goes through exactly these steps in this order, it may be useful to think of play in this way. According to Eberle, play involves:
- Anticipation, waiting with expectation, wondering what will happen, curiosity, a little anxiety, perhaps because there is a slight uncertainty or risk involved, although the risk cannot be so great that it overwhelms the fun. This leads to …
- Surprise, the unexpected, a discovery, a new sensation or idea, or shifting in perspective. This produces …
- Pleasure, a good feeling, like the pleasure we feel at the unexpected twist in the punch line of a good joke. Next we have …
- Understanding, the acquisition of new knowledge, a synthesizing of distinct and separate concepts, an incorporation of ideas that were previously foreign, leading to …
- Strength, the mastery that comes from constructive experience and understanding, the empowerment of coming through a scary experience unscathed, of knowing more about how the world works. Ultimately, this results in …
- Poise, grace, contentment, composure, and a sense of balance in life.
Eberle diagrams this as a wheel. Once we reach poise, we are ready to go to a new source of anticipation, starting the ride all over again.”
It strikes me that this process mirrors how one explores, experiments, engages in flow, experiences fun and falls in love (with a person, activity, place or thing, animate or inanimate).
It also strikes me that this process describes discovery, mastery and meaning — and the poise we can step into when we allow ourselves to play.
I’m curious.
What do you think of this six-step process — and do you see it playing out in your life in any way? In your relationships, in the workplace, at home, with or without children?
Let me know by responding to this post. I’d love to hear what you think.
Feel free to share this article, or give a “clap” if you enjoyed it. For more information on why I’m researching play, Hit Pause, Then Play.
