Play and Story: Is Story Work Playful and Healing?

[Mary K. Clark]

We have a new resource entry on the Healing Story Alliance Resources, Research and Reviews page.  This resource is available to members and nonmembers alike.

Play – It’s Necessary, Could It Be Healing?

Play is especially important.  According to Dr. Stuart Brown we need play just like we need to sleep and dream. He says, "Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities."

The question as to whether or not play might also be healing is introduced and  a video of Dr. Brown on the topic of play for us to use in included as a resource.

Visit:  http://www.healingstory.org/  and click on Resources, Research and Reviews.

Do you find story, storytelling, your story work in anyway playful and healing?  

- Mary

[Mary K. Clark]

Sorry, I meant to write:  "The question as to whether or not STORY might also be healing is introduced and  a video of Dr. Brown on the topic of play for us to use in included as a resource."   - Mary

[nishat and vijita]

Hi Mary,

Yes we at weeminstrels find stories as a medium of healing.It is an amazing way to connect with little ones.It gives us alot of mental satisfaction.We also realised that through stories we could actually convey the feelings of the characters in the story and lets not forget we could actually get the kids to feel what the characters are going through in the stories as well.Hence we definitely feel healing is one of the key aspects that can be achieved through storytelling.I dont think people actually realise this but when you sit in a story tellling session one actually forgets his present worries and for a little while is taken into a different world completely.He or she forgets the fears or worries even if it is for a little while.It is an excellant way to rejuvinate one's thoughts!Yes stories do heal!

[Mary K. Clark]

Nishat and Vijita,

You write, "He or she forgets the fears or worries even if it is for a little while. It is an excellant way to rejuvinate one's thoughts!" 

Yes, it sounds like a form of meditation doesn't it -- and so I believe it often is!

- Mary