As many of you who have read my blogs and posts know how highly I place the need to play when it comes to creativity development and contributing to our wellbeing.
While recently doing some research for one of my coaching clients who has slightly diminished executive functioning skills, I came to realise how much play can contribute to the development of these skills – among other life skills.
What really stood out for me is that we can have fun while we’re developing skills, it doesn’t have to be related to a test, or lectures or a Q&A session but rather just by playing and having fun.
I realise that in a professional environment we can’t (always) kick a ball around in the office and the likes, but there are fun activities that can be shared via our computers, and there are activities that can be facilitated during training sessions that are not only fun and energising, but they’re also developmental.
But back to how play can help develop Executive Function Skills.
What are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive Function skills are needed so that we can, plan ahead and meet goals, display self-control, follow multiple-step directions even when interrupted, and stay focused despite distractions, among other things. They are crucial for both personal and professional relationships. They include:
- Working Memory – a cognitive system that temporarily holds and manipulates information for tasks like reasoning, learning, and comprehension.
- Cognitive Flexibility – the mental ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts or to adapt behaviour in response to changing goals or environmental stimuli.
- Inhibition Control – the ability to suppress impulsive responses and resist distractions in order to stay focused on a task.
- Emotional Control – the ability to manage and regulate one’s emotions, particularly in stressful or challenging situations.
- Planning Prioritising – including goal setting.
- Task Initiation – the ability to start a task or activity independently and without procrastination.
- Organisation – including time management.
What causes Executive Skills Dysfunction?
Among other influencers like Autism and ADHD, previous research has found that executive functioning is negatively associated with problematic social media use (PSMU) – such as lack of; inhibitory control, decision-making, working memory, and an inability to control how much time we scroll – prioritising it over other activities,
PSMU has also been associated with a number of poor mental outcomes, including.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Decreased well-being.
- Lower self-esteem
- ADHD
- OCD
- Social anxiety
From a medical perspective, a common cause of executive function issues is ADHD, but other causes can include dementia, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and traumatic injuries to the brain- some we have more control over than other causes.
Play as a tool to develop Executive Function skills.
The reason play is such an important tool when developing Executive Function Skills, is because it’s fun, and creates a feeling of anticipation over the dread related to an arduous task we have to get through. For most of us the act of play also conjures up happy memories – usually from our childhood which includes a feeling of ease.
Children learn while they play, so why should we not learn the same way. Even though we have grown up, we played for a big part of our lives, so it’s not something that has to be taught to us. It actually comes naturally to us.
However, there is a big BUT here! And that is as adults we spend quite a bit of time at work. However, there are ways that we can develop Executive Function Skills while we’re at work. After all, we are allowed to have fun at work, aren’t we?
What I’ve done is broken down two lists of play related activities; one for leisure time, and one that shows ideas where it can be implemented at work.
For the office/professional environment
By incorporating these play activities into the workplace, you can help employees develop essential executive functioning skills while also boosting morale and team cohesion.
1. Strategy and Problem-Solving Games
- Puzzle Competitions: Organise team-based puzzle-solving contests with jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, or logic puzzles.
- Escape Room Challenges: Create a mini escape room in the office or use a portable escape room kit. This promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and flexible thinking.
- Team-Building Exercises
- Trust Exercises: Activities like trust falls or blindfolded navigations help build trust, improve communication, and enhance self-control.
- Human Knot: Teams work together to untangle themselves from a human knot, fostering communication and problem-solving.
- Role-Playing and Scenario-Based Activities
- Mock Negotiations: Set up scenarios where employees role-play negotiations or conflict resolution situations. This develops strategic thinking, planning, and adaptability.
- Creative Challenges
- Innovation Workshops: Host sessions where teams brainstorm and prototype new ideas or solutions to company challenges. This encourages creative thinking and collaboration.
- Art Projects: Collaborative art projects where teams create something together can boost creativity and team cohesion.
- Physical and Movement Activities
- Office stress and stretch Breaks: Regularly scheduled sessions can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance self-regulation.
- Deskercise Routines: Simple exercises or movement activities done at the desk to break up the workday and enhance physical and mental flexibility.
- Interactive and Digital Games
- Brain Training Apps: Encourage use of apps like Lumosity or Elevate during breaks to boost cognitive skills.
- Team Sports and Physical Games
- Scavenger Hunts: Create office scavenger hunts where teams must solve clues and find items, enhancing problem-solving and collaboration.
- Mindfulness and Stress-Relief Activities
- Meditation/Breathing Sessions: Short, guided breaks to help employees manage stress and improve focus.
- Storytelling and Presentation Games
- PechaKucha: Employees prepare quick, timed presentations on various topics, improving public speaking, quick thinking, creativity, and cognitive flexibility.
- Planning and Strategic Thinking Exercises
- Project Simulations: Simulate project planning and execution scenarios where teams must plan, adapt, and deliver results.
Implementing Play Activities at Work
To integrate these activities effectively:
- Schedule Regular Sessions: Set aside specific times during the week for these activities, such as during lunch breaks or team meetings.
- Encourage Participation: Make participation voluntary but encourage it through positive reinforcement and team-building incentives.
- Rotate Activities: Keep things fresh by rotating different types of activities to cater to various interests and skills.
- Create a Playful Environment: Foster a workplace culture that values creativity, flexibility, and playfulness as part of professional development.
- Arrange for a Coach or Trainer to assist with activities ideas and implementation.
For the home/personal environment
As we are all different there are various options of the types of play for adults and the list below includes a variety of choices.
Strategy Board Games
- There are numerous strategy board games like, Risk Settlers of Catan and Pandemic.
- Chess: Improves strategic planning, foresight, and decision-making.
- Card Games
- Bridge and Poker: Requires strategic thinking, planning, and teamwork.
- Spades: Involves planning and adapting strategies based on opponents’ actions.
- Video Games
- StarCraft: Requires strategic planning, resource management, and adapting to opponents.
- The Legend of Zelda: Combines puzzle-solving with strategic planning and resource management.
- Puzzles and Brain Teasers
- Escape Rooms: Promote teamwork, problem-solving, and flexible thinking under time constraints.
- Sudoku: Improves logical thinking and planning.
- Crosswords: Enhance vocabulary, memory, and problem-solving skills.
- Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
- Dungeons & Dragons: Encourages strategic planning, creative thinking, and teamwork.
- Improv Exercises: Improve flexible thinking, quick decision-making, and social skills.
- Physical and Movement Activities
- Dance Classes: Learning routines enhances memory, coordination, and flexibility in thinking.
- Martial Arts: Develops discipline, self-control, and strategic planning through learning and practicing techniques.
- Group Activities and Team-Building Exercises
- Team Sports: Basketball, soccer, or volleyball promote teamwork, strategic planning, and adapting to dynamic situations.
- Scavenger Hunts: Enhance problem-solving, planning, and teamwork.
- Creative Activities
- Art Projects: Working on collaborative art projects or tackling new mediums fosters creativity, planning, and flexibility.
- Storytelling or Creative Writing: Writing stories or participating in storytelling circles can improve cognitive flexibility and creative thinking.
- Mindfulness and Meditation Practices
- Guided Meditation/Breathing : Practices focusing on mindfulness and self-control.
- Interactive Apps and Digital Tools
- Brain Training Apps: Lumosity, Peak, Elevate and DailyGogen.
The key to implementing these play activities is.
- Schedule regular game time – as repetition is key.
- Do it with friends or create a group – whether on line or live – as interaction adds fun.
- Set personal challenges – to gradually increase the difficulty.
- Integrate mindful practices – preferably on a daily basis.
Conclusion
The benefits of play when it comes to developing Executive Function skills, in fact all life skills, including leadership have been well noted. It just takes a bit of time, effort, and a shift in mindset – as having fun while we learn something new is a foreign concept. (Remember School classrooms?)
But what a better way to learn – by having fun. Not only is it beneficial, but it’s also something to look forward to- as it’s not something we have to pass, or avoid failing, it’s just something to have fun with.
About the Author
Gary Hirson’s diverse experiences and expertise make him a valuable partner for creative, leadership, or interpersonal communication skills development. His coaching and programs incorporate elements of play, creativity, and personal leadership, aimed at fostering growth and development in both personal and professional contexts.
He is a COMENSA registered Coach and a SAQA certified Trainer.
