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Children enjoying the Power of Play on Group Swing at Brighton Preschool

Play is a fundamental human function. Play for children, adolescents and adults is an important part of learning, positive self-image, emotional and social wellbeing. The Power of Play extends into every aspect of our lives, even school. So, why don’t we play more?

We don’t play more because we don’t value play over hard work in our fast-paced modern culture. Play is essential for young children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. It is also essential to adolescents and adult’s wellbeing. Play is the inner joyfulness of a person who is experiencing an activity for the simple reason of doing the activity. No actual result is needed, wanted, or recognized. The joy during the activity itself is the purpose. Swinging in a hammock in the back yard, enjoying a walk or playing a game of soccer in an open field are all ways we can enjoy moments of play. What is your favorite and most joyful activity?

PLAY as Priority – We know play is important and even essential, now it’s time for us to prioritize play! If you don’t know the answer to our last question, what is your favorite and most joyful activity, it is time for you to figure it out. Block off your next few Saturday mornings and think about what might bring you a smile – then do it. That is right, block off your calendar!  Scheduling time for play is how you will begin to make it a priority in your life.

PLAY during the Holiday Season – The holiday season can be a challenging time to bring more fun to your days. Our family practices the art of saying “no” more often during November and December. We put our family’s favorite activities on the calendar during October and then we hold those beloved times sacred to our family. It helps us say “no” easily because our calendar is just already full, and we feel less stressed about trying to please others. Scheduling our most favorite family fun times is a way we de-stress, stay connected and protect our health during one of the most demanding times of year.

Here are our families list of fun activities: RV travel in November for a weekend away in nature, making gifts for family, decorating the house and tree, caroling in the neighborhood, driving around looking at lights, seeing snow somewhere and baking. These are all scheduled and listed on our family refrigerator calendar! Play is our priority during this time, and we want to get to New Year’s Eve with smiles on our faces and laughter in our ears.

The Study of PLAY – Play has been studied for centuries. Aristotle placed great importance on leisure and recent scientific studies support play as an essential part of life. I could quote tons of studies, famous philosophers, and such, but that doesn’t sound like any fun at all!

The moral: PLAY is not just important; it is life giving. PLAY can help you and your family be healthier and happier. Learn the power of play, what play means to you, and do more of it!

 

Play

Play, play the day away,

I want to play the day away.

I want to jump and laugh and play.

To be free and love the day. Play.

Brighton Center Child and Parent Smiling

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Brighton offers families hope, caring, understanding, education and every bit of it is 100% from their hearts. Our daughter has benefited from ALL of the services that Brighton has to offer. They have become like another family to us and they will always be a part of our lives.
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It was nothing short of a miracle. Brighton offered affordable services, in home visits, and the friendliest/most knowledgeable therapists. A weight was lifted off our shoulders and we knew we had a team in place who cared for and about Ishan as much as we did.
Kosha Vriseno, Ishan's Mom | Early Childhood Intervention Services
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Brighton’s advocate, Girasol, really helped us get our 3 year old son the services he needed from our local school district. After getting incorrect information from the school district about my son’s eligibility for services, Girasol educated not only our family but also the school district. She reviewed our son’s evaluation documents and talked with us on the phone about the entire special...
Jillian Benfield, Anderson's Mom | Special Education Support Services
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My daughter was at Brighton for almost three years. It was a great place for her that provided a positive learning environment and child-centered staff. My daughter learned empathy and acceptance from her peers and teachers. The center is NAEYC accredited and teachers are knowledgeable of developmentally appropriate practices. They truly care about the children and families with whom they work and...
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My two boys are now attending Brighton. We tried enrolling my 2 year old at another daycare and he hated it. He would cry as soon as he saw the school and was always crying when I picked him up. Needless to say we took him out in less than a week, and looked for another daycare for him and my infant. That’s when we found Brighton. It’s night and day at Brighton! We are on our second week and t...
Maricela Chavez Krewson | Special Education Support Services
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As a young child I went to Brighton Center On Higgins, they were all such amazing respectful caring and phonominal people! I am so very thankful for all Brighton has done for me! I 100% recommend Brighton Center for anyone, having been at Brighton when I was a child. I loved every minute second of my time there!! Brighton has changed my life and made me want to become a Special Education Teacher.