"We can't all be heroes
because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Will Rogers
PLAY AS AN ANTIDOTE
TO VIOLENCE
In the second edition of her book, Teaching Young Children in Violent
Times: Building a Peaceable Classroom (Washington, DC: NAEYC,
2003; www.naeyc.org), Diane Levin offers
these guidelines for helping children use play to work out violent and disturbing
content they have viewed on television:
* Watch children as they play to learn more about what they know, what
worries them, and what they are struggling to understand.
* Remember that for many children it is normal and helpful to bring into
their play graphic aspects of what they have seen and heard.
* If the play gets scary or dangerous, gently intervene and redirect it.
* Help them come up with ways for extending the play. Try to follow
the children's lead in the roles that you take rather than taking over.
* After the play, talk to children about what they played. Reassure
their safety. Answer questions simply. Clear up confusions.
* Try to teach alternatives to the harmful lessons children may be learning
from the volence they bring to their play.
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Post a Comment