Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “A child’s most serious business is play!”

Üsküdar University organized the “International Play Congress”

The “International Play Congress” themed "Play Everywhere and for Everyone," hosted by the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, was held at NP Health Campus and Çarşı Campus.

Prof. Dr. Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, drawing attention to the vital importance of play for child development and social life, said, “A child’s most serious business is play. The most serious business for adults, too, is to succeed in a task with the ease and enjoyment of play. When this is the case, one does not age."

Istanbul Deputy Elif Esen, who recounted that her family, forced to migrate from Bursa Gemlik to Istanbul during the War of Independence years, stayed in Red Crescent tents at Haydarpaşa Station, said, "My grandmother used to tell me that Red Crescent officials played games with them. During the war, in that traumatic environment, they played 'egg carrying in their mouths' game to make children feel the impact of the war less."

The opening speeches of the congress were delivered by Congress President Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Sweta Shah from the American think tank Brookings Institute, and Istanbul Deputy and Head of the Children's Movement Advisory Board Elif Esen.

Tarhan: “We must succeed in approaching events as a child approaches play”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, drew attention to the vital importance of play for child development and social life, stating, "One of Turkey's most important needs right now is our approach to understanding life. In this geography, which possesses Anatolian wisdom and has raised Rumi, we must succeed in living happier and more peaceful lives. If we can manage to approach the events we experience, even the most serious ones, in a fun and calm manner, like a child approaches play, many of our problems will resolve much more easily. We should not approach every event with a war strategy."

Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that neuroscience has proven the benefits of play in his speech, said, "If a child grows up playing well and experiencing everything during childhood, they achieve a sense of flow. This sense of flow, in positive psychology, is the feeling where one doesn't notice how hours pass while working on a task. A child's most serious business is play. For adults, too, their most serious business is to succeed in a task with the ease and enjoyment of play. When this is the case, one does not age; it even helps against Alzheimer's."

Play has an antidepressant effect!

“When playing, the brain regions associated with happiness become active. During this process, dopamine, linked to the feeling of pleasure, and serotonin, associated with the feeling of meaning, are secreted. If the game played has meaningful content, it produces not just temporary pleasure but also sustainable happiness,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan. He continued, “Serotonin is an antidepressant. Play has an antidepressant effect. We can say that. It's the same for children and adults. But it is important for adults to be able to do their work with that sense of flow.”

Children’s development is assessed during play

Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that one of the prominent approaches among current theories on child development is that children learn and develop the functioning of their autonomous nervous system through play and experience, and continued as follows:

“During play, children's development is evaluated in various areas. With certain tests, children's fine motor skills, in particular, are measured. At the same time, thanks to the sensory integration profile frequently used in child and adolescent psychiatry, the child's multi-faceted developmental areas such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language development, social skills, and sensory skills are assessed. All these skills naturally develop during play.”

Play is also critical for emotional intelligence

Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that play is also part of values education, and while playing, a child learns to put in effort, be patient (persevere), and develop a sense of belonging to a group. He said, “This also develops their social intelligence. At the same time, play contributes to the development of logical intelligence. During play, children learn to sequence, time, and establish cause-and-effect relationships. In this process, different neural networks develop in the brain. Play is also very critical for emotional intelligence. Especially the anterior cingulate cortex region – which is also called the ‘gearbox’ of the brain and is responsible for regulating emotions – becomes active during play. This region plays an important role in adjusting the speed of emotions (slowing down/speeding up).”

The most critical period for a child's development is 4-6 years old

For all these reasons, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that play is not just entertainment but of vital importance for a child's neurobiological, social, emotional, and cognitive development, and continued:

“The most critical period for a child’s development is between 4-6 years of age. In this period, instead of loading theoretical information onto the child, it is necessary to play, jump, write, and draw with them. Because at these ages, children learn not only information but also to live by rules, discipline, empathy, and respect the rights of others through play. Play supports the child's mental, emotional, and social development. There are rules during play, which teaches the child to follow rules and set boundaries. Social skills such as empathy, sharing, waiting, and understanding develop within play. However, today, many children spend time only with digital games.”

The cost is heavy…

Prof. Dr. Tarhan explained that digital games hinder children's development and can lead to autism-like symptoms, also known as 'clip syndrome,' in children. He stated, “As soon as parents take the tablet away and start actively playing with the child, the child's development accelerates. However, it is important not to delay too long in achieving this transformation. Especially language development progresses with great difficulty after the age of 4. Permanent language disorders can develop in children after these ages. Parents sometimes view tablets as a kind of 'cheap babysitter.' They hand over the tablet, and the child plays silently for hours. This also suits the parents. But the cost of this is heavy. The child's development stops. Let's not forget, for a child, play is the most serious business.”

“We cannot raise children like greenhouse flowers”

Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that play is an area where children learn to manage stress by encountering situations such as being criticized, upset, or hurt. He said, "We cannot raise children like greenhouse flowers. They will learn. And this happens during play, among friends." Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the fast pace of modern life restricts children's opportunities to go out and play, and with the weakening of family ties, children struggle to find friends even in apartment buildings. Therefore, he recommended sending children who are at least 3 years old to nursery school, saying, "When a child goes to nursery school, they start to socialize there. Many of their fears disappear, their needs are met. In fact, they learn life, they learn everything."

Play during the War of Independence

Istanbul Deputy and Head of the Children's Movement Advisory Board Elif Esen shared a memory of her grandmother from the years of the War of Independence, recounting that her family, who were forced to migrate from Bursa Gemlik to Istanbul during that period, stayed in Red Crescent tents at Haydarpaşa Station.
Elif Esen stated, "My grandmother used to tell me that Red Crescent officials played games with them. During the war, in that traumatic environment, they made children play an 'egg carrying in their mouths' game to make them feel the impact of the war less," thus emphasizing that play is a means of holding onto life and solidarity even in the most difficult times.

"Children are greater than politics"

Esen, stating that she worked for children in civil society even before entering politics, said, "My hope and concern have always been to support children so that they can be full of hope and dream about their future with confidence."

Elif Esen, explaining the birth of the "Children's Movement," of which she is the conceptual founder with the understanding that "Children are greater than politics," stated that this civil initiative brought together deputies from different parties in the Parliament.

Esen, drawing attention to the movement's success by saying, "In a very short time, 10 deputies from 5 different parties held a press conference in the press room of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with the statement 'Children in Gaza must live'," noted that this non-partisan initiative brought together civil society organizations, academics, lawyers, healthcare professionals, educators, and business people from all over Turkey, and that Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer was the biggest supporter of this process.

Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Play actually exists throughout life”

Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin said, “Play actually exists throughout life. Children start playing in the womb before they are even born. If they don't play, something goes wrong. When they play, we are happy about their playing. It means we say everything is going well. After birth, they still play. It continues as they grow up. In fact, it continues until we die. We communicate as we play. We learn as we play. We learn to work as a team as we play. We see ourselves touching each other as we play. We become aware of our human values as we play. Life is always a game. Play is one of our greatest values that we should never remove from our lives.”

Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer: “Play needs to be integrated into all aspects of life”

Üsküdar University Head of Child Development Department and Congress President Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer stated that play needs to be remembered and integrated into all aspects of life, adding that this was one of the main goals of the congress.

Referring to the United Nations' declaration of June 11 as "World Play Day" last year, Prof. Dr. Ülküer said, "This decision is an important step taken to bring play back into our daily lives. Because play is a universal language that transcends cultures, traditions, and economic problems, used by everyone."

Prof. Dr. Ülküer emphasized that scientific studies have proven play to be a neurobiologically and psychologically developing, transforming, and relaxing tool, and stated that the scientific aspects of play would be discussed in detail at this congress.

Parents don't know how to play, they've forgotten

Prof. Dr. Ülküer, reminding that June is also recognized as "Parenting Month," drew attention to the role of parents in children's lives and play processes.

Prof. Dr. Ülküer said, "For years, we've been telling parents, 'Play with your children.' But I realized that parents don't know how to play; they've forgotten. They play 'as if,' and children are aware of this. Because we have forgotten how to play. We need to bring playfulness back," emphasizing the importance of active and sincere participation of parents in the play process.

Prof. Dr. Ülküer drew attention to the comforting and rehabilitative power of play in crisis situations, disasters, and after earthquakes, saying, "Play is a right. It is not only a child's right but also an adult's right."

Sweta Shah: “Play can develop many skills without people realizing they are developing skills”

Sweta Shah from the American think tank Brookings Institute expressed her excitement about being at the congress, stating, "I hope some of the research that comes out today can help you think about what should be the next stage for Istanbul, for Turkey, for the country."

Shah emphasized that as the Brookings Institute, they believe in the power of play for everyone, everywhere. She said, "Play can develop many skills without people realizing they are developing skills because it is so fun and joyful. People don't think they are learning when they are playing. But research shows that when play is integrated into daily experiences, market, store, street, and classroom discussions, it slowly and continuously develops the brains not only of young children but also of adults. Because our brains continue to grow even if they slow down.”

Following the opening, Dr. Joanna Fortune, a psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent psychotherapy, delivered a lecture titled "Why We Play?".

The congress lasted 3 days

Throughout the 3-day congress, many leading local and international academics and experts shared their valuable knowledge and experiences as panelists, moderators, and workshop facilitators.

Topics such as intergenerational play, play and creativity, play in nature, digital games, early childhood (infancy, preschool, and early primary school years) and play, school age and play, adolescence and play, parenting and play (playful mothers and fathers, playful personalities), adulthood and play, old age and play (playful grandmothers and grandfathers) were discussed at the congress.

Within the scope of the congress, participants were offered various and richly content-filled workshops.