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War Play

Preschool children's dramatic play often includes themes that are powerful and aggressive. This play can sometimes include props like guns, swords, and lasers, and at times may involve shooting and killing. At the Family Center, we understand and appreciate the developmental need of young children to engage in play that makes them feel powerful. War Play addresses this need and allows the children the opportunity to feel big and powerful in a world over which they at times feel they have no control. However, we do not let children bring in guns, swords, or other types of weapons from home. We also discourage children from bringing in action figures and other toys that are attached to TV, movies, and videos that have violent themes.

Banning this type of play in the classroom does not work. Children will find ways of engaging in this type of play, and teachers will spend the good majority of the day "policing" their classrooms. At the Family Center, we work to facilitate this type of play. We ask leading questions that encourage children to think creatively and move beyond scripted and unproductive play. For example, if children are building a laser, a teacher may ask, "What does that laser do?" The children my respond, "It kills people." The teacher may then ask the children, "What else can your laser do?" We have found that this type of facilitation will help to move the children beyond play that is scripted and violent to more creative and problem-solving play. In addition, it is important for the teachers to find ways to help all the children feel safe and included in play. Please remember that all the typical classroom rules apply and there is no hurting others or breaking things.

For further information on this topic, please read The War Play Dilemma by Nancy Carlsson-Paige and Diane Levin. This book is available in the office.