Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Guns, weapons and pre-school

    Posted 09-15-2020 06:59 PM
    Does anyone know where I can find some good parent handouts on gun and weapon play for school.  On my ZOOM meeting the other day.  One child shared a sword and another, guns and a hand grenade(all pretend) My children are from the 3-5 year old range. I know some parents are not very gun tolerant. Currently we have sent a letter, letting the families know NOT to bring arsenal to ZOOM. However, would be good to give the parents something to read, as to the "why" behind our decision. Thank you.


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  • 2.  RE: Guns, weapons and pre-school

    Posted 09-17-2020 10:42 AM
    Not sure that this is what you're looking for, but at my school we send this article out to parents to help them contextualize children's weapons play:

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://dianerich.co.uk/pdf/bang%2520bang%2520gun%2520play%2520and%2520why%2520children%2520need%2520it.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj8wuHJtfDrAhVPRKwKHYmMDiEQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw3nD8vVNSrgP_psYC7PeP3y

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    Encian Pastel
    Teacher, Collective Member, Core member
    Children's Community Center, Gender Justice in Early Childhood, Bay Area Childcare Collective
    Richmond CA
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  • 3.  RE: Guns, weapons and pre-school

    Posted 09-18-2020 10:07 AM
    What are these children exposed to that they would improvise a hand grenade? Are you near a military base? I would do a Google search for some help with how to craft a letter describing what is appropriate and what is not, but I would first discuss this with your Board if you have one. The school with which I was affiliated a long time ago and its Director for 9 1/2 years did not allow any play weaponry to be brought to school but this did not stop them from creating some weapons from material in the room. This was usually done in the context of pretend play and related to Superheroes.

    Over the time that I was Director, I did find that some children were exposed to inappropriate TV shows and constant news shows where violence and aggression around the world were shown and discussed.

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    Nora Krieger, PhD
    Associate Professor Emerita/Past Chair NJEEPRE
    Bloomfield College/NJ Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
    Highland Park, NJ
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  • 4.  RE: Guns, weapons and pre-school

    Posted 09-18-2020 10:27 AM
    I thank you all for you input. We sent a letter to the parents. One of the guns did look real and the pretend hand grenade was interesting. I was trying to find some type of article geared for parents and violent play.  Thank you for your help.

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    ina Aparicio
    Child Development Specialist
    Saddleback College Child Development Center
    Laguna Hills CA
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