Home » ExchangeEveryDay » Play as an Antidote to Violence



ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues


<< Previous Issue | View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> ExchangeEveryDay
Play as an Antidote to Violence
September 22, 2003

"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.  



Check out the "Employment Opportunities" at www.ChildCareExchange.com.

ExchangeEveryDay

Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.

What is ExchangeEveryDay?

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

Have an account? to submit your comment.


required

Your e-mail address will not be visible to other website visitors.
required
required
required

Check the box below, to help verify that you are not a bot. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this form.



Disclaimer: Exchange reserves the right to remove any comments at its discretion or reprint posted comments in other Exchange materials.