Richard Lingard stated, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” I agree with this conclusion after years of observing people and their play and leisure habits. I sometimes project an (in)ability to play.
Watching animals play brings me extraordinary joy. I love seeing children engage in spontaneous play behavior. As I think about play, however, I realize that I am not exceptionally good at it. People watching me “at play” might conclude that I am mostly purposeful and not playful.
Play means to take part in activity for enjoyment rather than for a serious or practical resolve. I take immense pride in the leisure activities that encompass my retirement. However, my play usually involves purpose. If I hike, I have a destination. Band rehearsal is in preparation for upcoming concerts. I volunteer to be helpful. I am not necessarily playful in these activities.
Nevertheless, play is ubiquitous in my world. It brings great enjoyment. As someone who has devoted my professional career to understanding leisure and play behavior, and now encouraging responsible play in the outdoors, I think often about the meanings and value of play. I am concluding that play is leisure but not all leisure is play as I reflect on my life.
The developmental attributes of play for children are well documented. Fred Rogers noted that “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Because I have the privileged means, I have found for myself that leisure is the play of retirement with purpose.
The anticipation and involvement in play or any type of recreation involves fun and enjoyment. In my research and systematic observations over the years, as well as in my personal life, I know that enjoyment leads to people’s motivations. For individuals to act often requires the anticipation of pleasure. Jogging and dancing are ways to be active and may have different meanings for the play of individuals.
Play may be something that does not need definition. It just needs to be enjoyed an hour (or a minute) at a time.