As children we learn more about life through playing games than
we do in any other way. It is the ability to play that enables
us to develop into well co-ordinated, adaptable, highly social
individuals. But we are not alone, animals play also. For many
years this animal play was thought to be somehow 'different' to
human play, but this is proving not to be the case. Why do
animals indulge in play, what are the functions of these energy
draining and often dangerous activities? This interdisciplinary
programme will explore the reasons that play is so important to
development: by describing social, locomotor and object play
behavior in animal as diverse as reptiles, birds and mammals, it
will find out the benefits it does provide. Finally it will look
at the shocking evidence of what happens to young animals who
are prevented from playing. In a startling parallel to humans,
animal deprived of play, develop into dysfunctional adults, and
even serial killers.