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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Tickling, a Technique for Inducing Positive Affect When Handling Rats

Tickling, a Technique for Inducing Positive Affect When Handling Rats

Published on: May 8, 2018

Short playful interactions improve executive functions in children.

Daniela Yaffe^1,2, Limor Shtoots³, Omer Kochav Isakow¹

¹Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, 4610101, Herzliya, Israel.

Scientific Reports

|July 3, 2025

Summary

Social playfulness enhances children's executive functions (EFs) and mood. Short playful interactions improved attention and mood in children aged 6-10, suggesting playfulness as a valuable EF training tool.

Keywords:

Attention Children Executive functions Physical exercise Social playfulness

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Last Updated: Sep 17, 2025

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Peering into the Dynamics of Social Interactions: Measuring Play Fighting in Rats

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Published on: January 18, 2013

Area of Science:

Child Development
Cognitive Psychology
Educational Psychology

Background:

Executive Functions (EFs) are crucial for lifelong success, encompassing planning, decision-making, and self-regulation.
EFs are malleable in children, with interventions effectively enhancing these skills.
Social playfulness is a natural aspect of childhood with potential for cognitive benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of short playful interactions versus physical activity on children's EF performance and mood.
To assess the influence of social playfulness on attentional control and positive affect.
To explore the role of playful interactions in fostering social bonds.

Main Methods:

Sixty-two children aged 6-10 participated in either a playful interaction or a physical activity with an adult.
Children's EF performance was assessed using tasks like the Flanker task.
Mood and social bonding were also measured post-intervention.

Main Results:

Playful interaction significantly improved attentional performance, specifically response times in the Flanker task.
Physical activity did not yield similar improvements in EF performance.
Playful interaction also enhanced positive mood and strengthened social bonds with the co-player.

Conclusions:

Social playfulness is a multidimensional activity engaging cognitive, emotional, and social functions.
Playful interactions show promise as an enjoyable and easily integrated intervention for training EFs in primary school children.
These findings highlight the potential of social playfulness for enhancing executive functions and overall well-being in children.