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How I Used A Love Of Games To Make Me A Better Learner

Using Dr. Stuart Brown’s Play Personalities to Make Studying More Engaging and Effective

Tom Scullin
7 min readJan 22, 2025
Photo by La-Rel Easter on Unsplash

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When you think of studying, “play” probably doesn’t come to mind. Many of us approach studying as a necessary (and often dull) task that we just have to get through. But what if you could turn studying into something personalized and fun?

Dr. Stuart Brown, a psychiatrist and researcher, has spent years exploring the vital role of play in human development. Through his work, he identified eight distinct “Play Personalities,” each reflecting unique ways people find joy and engagement through play. His research suggests that play isn’t just for children — it’s crucial to how humans learn and grow at any age. By aligning your study habits with your Play Personality, you can make learning more engaging and effective.

The Importance of Play in Learning

Before diving into the Play Personalities, let’s first understand why play is essential in learning. Neuroscience shows that play stimulates creativity, enhances problem-solving skills, and improves motivation — all critical factors in successful studying. Play lights up the brain in ways that…

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Tom Scullin
Tom Scullin

Written by Tom Scullin

I write about language learning, study skills, linguistics, and Japan. | 15+ years studying Japanese | 9+ years teaching ESL | 5+ years in Japan 🇺🇸➡️🇯🇵

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