American Journal of Play

The American Journal of Play is a forum for discussing the history, culture, and psychology of play. An interdisciplinary quarterly of Strong National Museum of Play, the Journal aims to increase awareness and understanding of the role of play in learning and human development and the ways in which play illuminates cultural history.

Published quarterly through the University of Illinois Press, the American Journal of Play is intended for educators, psychologists, play therapists, sociologists, anthropologists, folklorists, historians, museum professionals, toy and game designers, policy makers, and others interested in children and the importance of play.

To visit the Web site of the American Journal of Play, click here.

Cutting-edge Thoughts about Play

from Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp

Jaak Panksepp, author of more than 300 scientific articles and books, is known best for investigating animal emotions. He studies play and other primary processes of brain and mind that enable and drive feelings. Recently in the American Journal of Play (Winter 2010), Panksepp discussed how play is crucial in nourishing social intelligence. In this video from Adam Ratliff and Becky Phillips of Washington State University, Panksepp shares some of his cutting-edge thoughts and the research behind them.