Why Joy & Play?

Every person needs joy and play in their life! It doesn’t matter if they are a grownup, a kid, or even a baby. Joy is an essential human emotion, and play is how we get it.

To some, it may seem obvious to say that joy and play are basic human needs, just like food, water, shelter, and so on. But it’s good to know that science backs it up!

When babies’ brains are growing, they need joyful play and loving care just like they need to eat and drink. And they keep needing play and care as they get older, too. This helps their brains get stronger and healthier. It’s like exercise for your emotions.

So what do we mean by play? First of all, it’s important to know that play can mean many different activities. However, the most essential form of play is noncompetitive, meaning there aren’t any winners or losers. It’s just fun, plain and simple!

This is the kind of play that Joyful Together® empowers. Think about games like Make Believe, Peek-a-Boo, I Spy, or even just a good old-fashioned Dance Party. Play can be active, calm, loud, quiet, or anything in between!

Best of all, there’s a special secret about this kind of play and the joy that it creates. Joyful play actually makes parents less stressed, children more resilient, and family relationships more loving! Just like good food nourishes our bodies, so does healthy play nourish our souls.

So come join Joyful Together® and find out how you and your family can infuse your lives with more play and more joy.

Want to Know More? Check Out These Resources!

To learn more about the Joyful Together® model and how we developed it, please visit our Joyful Together® Model page on this website.

Learn more about the science of play and brain development by visiting Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child at developingchild.harvard.edu.

You can also check out the Institute of Family & Community Impact® at familyandcommunityimpact.org to discover more about our research, innovations, and advocacy.