Utrecht University performed play experiments at Basisschool De Odyssee (Utrecht) to understand the positive effects of playing for children.

To what extent does playing together promote self-disclosure?

Specifically, the researchers were interested in to what extent playing together creates feelings of safety and social connectedness for children, and to what extent those feelings promote self-disclosure, i.e., children feeling comfortable to share personal information and thoughts with each other.

The research was carried out by Eliza Chung, together with Dr. Sander Bakkes and colleagues in the Dynamics of Youth funded Shoulder-to-Shoulder research project.