Playful Pinball for

Emotional Development

Open ended solo play filled with interactions, patterns, surprises, and creativity 

theVALUE

Delayed

Gratification

Emotional

Intelligence

Self-Soothing

Practices

Conflict

Resolution

VARIABLE REWARD

Since Humans are instinctively curious...

 

Since curiosity is fueled by Dopamine's release in the pleasure center of the brain...

 

And since Dopamine's release is triggered by unpredictable events,  

​

Then Unpredictability triggers fun!

OPEN ENDED PLAY

Allowing a kid to go where a kid wants to go when a kid is able to go is critical to development.

Move At Their Own Pace

Face Their Fears

Practice Adulting

Build Self Confidence

Create Their Own World

Discover

Interests

Increased

Intelligence

Stronger

Social Skills

TO EAT OR NOT?

In 1972, a Stanford University study told 100 children, “Have 1 marshmallow now, or wait until the researcher returns and earn 2.” 40 years later, the children who waited showed:

Greater

Self-Esteem

Enhanced Creativity

Improved

Patience

Less Drug or

Alcohol Use

Stronger Health

Improved

coping Skills

CAN DESIGN HELP KIDS LEARN HOW TO WAIT?

THE FALLING MARBLE

Ideation to see how many ways a falling marble might exemplify chance, control, patience and mystery.

After grouping individual actions, I explored favorite concepts in more detail. This eventually led to joining them into a path of play. 

MECHANICAL PLAY

Elemental Growth: Establishing pieces and then exploring how they fit together.

Many children's books and movies feature pirate characters, themes and stories.

ARRRR, YE MATEY

As I combined elements, a face began to appear. I plundered the idea, searching for the loot.

These sketches speak briefly to Assembly techniques, materials and interaction storyboards.

SKULLDUGGERY

Using the eye patch to conceal outcomes became an easy rallying cry for the pirate face.

ALL HANDS HOY!

Time for the Mock Up Making to begin

Selected Photos from 5 different mock up sessions

"I'm trying to get the blue one."

– A young boy after 50 minutes of continuous, interaction, when asked, "What are you doing?"