Power of Play
60 min.
Sunday May 12 8:00 PM & Sunday May 12 11:00 PM
on Animal Planet
Examining the role of play in different animals, and
how it encourages socialization, learning and species
survival. Included: dolphins and lions. John Ritter
narrates.


Rating: TV-G
Category: Documentary

Please make sure you watch this great special:

THE POWER OF PLAY TO SURVIVE
-World Premiere Special on May 12 Reveals How Play is Important to Survival-

THE POWER OF PLAY, narrated by actor and comedian John Ritter, takes a look at the ways in which playful displays by animal and human young - as adorable as they may be - are actually a key factor in their development. Viewers see how the dolphin, the polar bear, the wolf, the sea otter and several other animals learn by playing and how animals that are deprived of the play experience lack the skills they need to survive. THE POWER OF PLAY also looks at how levels of intelligence have a hand in the playing process. Are smart creatures more playful or does play make creatures smarter? THE POWER OF PLAY makes its world television premiere on Sunday, May 12, 2002 from 8-9 PM ET.
THE POWER OF PLAY introduces viewers to a sea otter whose human “parents” hide their non-otter identity and teach him otter behavior through play. This careful process gives him a better chance of survival when he’s released into the wild. A polar bear is another member of the playful cast. She has never met another bear and has been play-deprived until she’s introduced to a male counterpart. After warming up to him, she becomes a play pro and may now have the ability to mate and produce offspring. THE POWER OF PLAY examines how animals learn the vital lessons of survival through the act of play. Dolphins actually practice the skills in play that they use to fight off predators. Viewers also see how human animals thrive on play and its important role in child development.

THE POWER OF PLAY is co-produced by fleisherfilm, inc. and Devillier Donegan Enterprises for Animal Planet. Carol Fleisher is producer for fleisherfilm, inc. Ron Devillier and Brian Donegan are executive producers, Greg Diefenbach is supervising producer for Devillier Donegan Enterprises. For Animal Planet, Dawn Sinsel is executive producer and Andrea Davis is associate producer.