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 one marshmallow now, or wait until the researcher returns and earn two.” 40 years later, the children who waited showed:
Greater
Self-Esteem
Enhanced Creativity
Improved
Patience
Less Drug or
Alcohol Use
Stronger Health
Improved
Coping
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.
MECHANICAL PLAY
Elemental Growth: Establishing pieces and then exploring how they fit together.
ARRRR, YE MATEY
As I combined elements, a face began to appear. I plundered the idea, searching for the loot.
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
"I'm trying to get the blue one."
– A young boy after 50 minutes of continuous, interaction, when asked, "What are you doing?"