Human Development Students Rediscover the Power of Play
By Marilyn Huerta
When Cal State San Marcos human development instructor Kathy Fuller gathered her students for class recently, she didn’t hand out a lecture outline or cue up a PowerPoint. Instead, she invited them to The Makery, a hands-on, creative space in Kellogg Library, and gave them a simple instruction: play.
She encouraged them to tinker, build, explore and let curiosity lead the way.
It might have looked like fun and games from the outside, but for Fuller, the experience was a deliberate lesson in rediscovering something that many adults forget.
“In our adult lives, we lose touch with play,” Fuller said. “But rediscovering it isn’t just about having fun – it’s a way to connect, build trust and spark creativity.”
For Fuller’s human development students – most of whom are preparing for careers as counselors, educators or community advocates – the exercise carried a deeper meaning. Play, she explained, is a bridge to empathy and understanding, essential tools for working with people who are coping with stress, trauma or isolation.
“Play builds trust, opens pathways for expression and helps people feel safe,” Fuller said. “It reminds us that learning and healing don’t always have to be serious. Sometimes they can be spontaneous.”
Among those who found the experience unexpectedly refreshing was Daniel Lopez, a human development major and student ambassador for the College of Education, Health and Human Services.
“Sometimes we get so focused on grades and deadlines that we forget how to just explore and enjoy the process,” Lopez said. “This experience reminded me that play isn’t just for kids – it’s a mindset that helps us stay creative, connect with others and bring joy into the work we’ll be doing in our future careers.”
Fuller’s playful experiment also reflects the broader mission of CEHHS, which emphasizes holistic, human-centered approaches to learning and practice.
In the end, the lesson was simple but profound: There’s room and real need for play in the serious work of helping others.
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