Report RE: superhero and gun play

Original Post

by: Maestro

I enjoy doing these activities with the kids, especially in the summer, rough and tumble on the grass, army rolling, creating an ambush, chasing each other, making as much noise as possible.

It's a good way to let off steam, take risks, keep active, develop fine motor, gross motor, communication, cognitive, story telling skills etc... Fits the EYFS perfect now, following children's interests to develop their learning.

It's all good fun, too much emphasis is put on the aggression that is automatically associated with guns, fantasy play etc... I have handled guns as a sport as an adult, played with toy guns, bows and arrows, toy knives etc as a child, and have not turned out as a killer, wanting to play gang warfare, carry weapons etc... If there is a responsible adult is present who can support their learning then I do not see a problem.

Children are exposed to everything in the world through the media and perhaps on their doorstep. They are still learning right and wrong all the way through to adulthood, and I do believe it does not properly develop until about 18-19 ears of age. The way in which they learn can be influenced from a young age.

Knife crime was on the increase (i'm not sure where it is now, probably still on the increase, although we are in a supposed recession, are they expensive...) should we ban knives from the dinner table incase a child decides to stab their follow friends? No because we have taught children there is a place for knives, and how we should use them. Now for anyone thinking they should take their AK47 in for show and tell and teach the children to handle it, this may not go down well, and you may need permission from the parents.

Super heroes? I think we all have a hero, and sometimes need a hero. Some have powers, guns, and some might just be your dad, mum, uncle, nan etc... Superheroes are usually the good guys defeating the bad guys, surely a positive image that could be built upon? Even when you watch the children play if one adopts the bad guy they will follow the story they have seen, usually ending in the defeat of the bad guy, so the child pretends to die, followed by "I'm dead now!" We all have a natural instinct to care and protect for someone, and although the children might not fully understand this concept it's there in their thoughts and play.

I agree the debate will never be settled but I am happy where I stand, and happy to acknowledge where others stand.

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