Overview

Ever wonder why your child turns a simple game into something trickier—stacking higher, running faster, or making the rules tougher—when no one’s watching or rewarding them? Harvard and UC Berkeley research shows it’s not a fluke: kids intentionally dial up the challenge when play is pure enjoyment, no prizes or winning involved. This one-page printable distills the key findings from the “Fun Isn’t Easy” study, complete with quotes from Elizabeth Bonawitz and Alison Gopnik, plus practical tips to support that natural drive (embrace uninterrupted time, skip the outcome praise, trust their choices).

Download The Fun Isn’t Easy Handout

Here’s the handout PDF to download, share, or print as you see fit:

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