Playing needs to be studied as a subject on its own, supplementary to the sublimation of instinct

In Winnicott's observation, when a child is playing, the masturbatory element is essentially lacking. → We might have missed something by connecting the two phenomena too closely.

What Winnicott says about playing applies to adults, too.

The meaning of playing is renewed following the concept of transitional phenomena, from the use of a transitional object to a person's capacity for cultural experience.

Playing has a time and a place; it is not inside, nor is it outside. It is not part of the not-me, which is outside magical control.

To control the truly external world (what is outside), one has to do things. Doing things takes time. “Playing is doing” (41).

Initially, the potential space is between the baby and the mother or mother-figure.

Playing is universal. It leads to growth, health and group relationships. Psychoanalysis is a highly specialized form of playing.

A.  The infant and the object are merged with each other.

B.  The object is repudiated, re-accepted and perceived objectively. The process is highly dependent on a mother or mother-figure who is prepared to participate.
-- Confidence in the mother makes an intermediate playground, where the baby experiences the feeling of omnipotence. The playground is a potential space.

C.  The key to this stage is “being alone in the presence of someone” (47).
-- During this stage, the child plays, assuming someone reliable is available when remembered after being forgotten. The child feels this person reflects back what happens in the playing.

D.  The child allows and enjoys an overlap of two play areas, that of the mother's own playing and the child's.

Illustrative Case:
A girl was first treated when she was six months old. During the period from nine-month-old to one-year-old, she continues to have fits. Winnicott lets the baby play the game of biting and throwing away spatulas. The baby then fingers her toes and seems to discover that while spatulas can be thrown away, toes cannot be pulled off. After the last consultation, the baby has not experienced any fits. The improvement has been maintained without medicine.

A.  The content [of playing] does not matter. What matters is the near-withdrawal state, akin to the concentration of older children and adults.

B.  There is a direct development from transitional phenomena to playing, and from playing to shared playing, and from this to cultural experiences.

C.  Playing belongs to the potential space between (what was at first) baby and mother-figure.