About Play Face
The term play face is used to describe an often-seen expression on the faces of humans and other mammals engaged in play. Children exhibiting it tend to have wide, soft, and alert eyes, a friendly and inviting expression, and the glimmer of a smile. Raised brows and a slight tilt to the head may also be noticeable.
This expression signals an openness to continued engagement and comfort with the current situation.
Children (and adults) skilled at reading Play Face can use the signals they observe to adjust the play environment to keep the play flowing. When it begins to fade, the play environment may need adjusting. Learning to read body language in childhood play is a skill used throughout life in both work and social situations.
Sometimes players try to hide their openness to play by acting Plangry in order to appear fierce and powerful, but it tends to shine through.
Often associated with rough and tumble or aggressive play, it occurs in all types of play.
Read more about Play Face here, here, and here.
Here’s a Child Care Bar and Grill episode discussing Play Face.
The opposite of Play Face has been described as I Want To Eat You Face.
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Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author and the founder of Explorations Early Learning and Playvolution HQ.
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