When I hid in my office building at the jewish federation of greater seattle as a gunman shot my colleagues one by one, the sound and smell of gunfire was etched into my brain.Cognitive learning is regarded as to further the trauma pathway, when I visited the federation building after the shooting and saw the outline of one of the weapons the shooter used drawn in marker next to the fax machine, I added a visual trauma to my already growing hatred of guns.Cognitive learning is regarded as so, it is no surprise that, as a school director, I am very sensitive to gun-play among children. The surprising thing, I suppose, is the way I respond.Cognitive learning is regarded as

I have had teachers and parents come to me over the years concerned that a little one is engaging in gun-play. Many adults hold an informal causal theory that playing with guns in childhood leads to the use of guns in adulthood.Cognitive learning is regarded as however, there is no real scientific evidence that playing (these) games in childhood leads to real-life aggression ( michael thompson, phd, child psychologist and author​). Any teacher of young children knows that anything can become a gun to a child - tree branches, blocks, a banana, chicken nuggets.Cognitive learning is regarded as the amazing thing is,children engaging in this type of open-ended play are using their imaginations. This is often a rarity in today’s plugged-in, tech-savvy world.Cognitive learning is regarded as the challenge becomes how we as adults respond to this behavior in the wake of real-life shootings which result in death and injury and threat to topple our foundation of safety.Cognitive learning is regarded as benefits of play

We know that a child’s play is linked to social and cognitive development. Through imaginary games, children learn how to control impulses, delay gratification, think symbolically, and view things from another person’s perspective.Cognitive learning is regarded as they are able to act out their dreams and their fears. Imaginary play hones self-regulation, and helps little ones cope with stress. Oftentimes, when it comes to gun-play among young children, the underlying goal of the play is one of control.Cognitive learning is regarded as defending the world from “bad guys” makes kids feel brave. It comes down to a game of good versus bad. Historically, this type of play was normal among children (think cops and robbers, cowboys, superheroes), but adults became much less tolerant of this type of play in the wake of a spate of tragic school shootings in the 1990s, and many schools shifted toward zero-tolerance policies.Cognitive learning is regarded as adult fears

It seems that in today’s world we vilify children for even being interested in guns. When my son, who was a baby at the time of the federation shooting, wanted a nerf gun my response was, “we don’t play with guns in this house.Cognitive learning is regarded as guns are dangerous. They hurt people.” when he started using his fingers as a weapon in imaginative play I inserted my fears into his innocence by calling it a laser instead of a gun.Cognitive learning is regarded as I thought that if I encouraged playing with lightsabers or laser beams instead of imaginary guns with imaginary bullets, I would somehow ensure that my little boy would not grow up to shoot up a school or a workplace.Cognitive learning is regarded as the problem with this type of thinking is, children don’t see their play through the same lens as adults. To adults, in the wake of newtown, gun-play is violence - to children, it is just play.Cognitive learning is regarded as

• be aware of your tone of voice and body language when responding to this type of play. Research by london metropolitan university suggested that children who are constantly “told off” while playing superheroes or during military play become withdrawn and dispirited.Cognitive learning is regarded as we are, after all, a militarized society. Children see guns on military personnel and law enforcement. To children, guns protect as much as they do harm.Cognitive learning is regarded as

• use the underlying goal or reason for the play to inform your response. “it looks like you are saving our playground from aliens. I wonder if we can build a wall with blocks to protect the sandbox area.” remember, children are not equating their gun-play with real-life violence.Cognitive learning is regarded as even if you don’t want them playing with imaginary weapons, you can still allow them to engage in play that meets the underlying goal. “joshua, you are defending the slide.Cognitive learning is regarded as you are very brave. Do you have superpowers?”

• don’t feel like you have to allow gun-play. Gun-play can make an adult uncomfortable. That’s OK.Cognitive learning is regarded as as long as you don’t shame a child, or burden a child with your adult fears, feel free to healthily redirect. “you are using that stick as a gun.Cognitive learning is regarded as what else could that stick be (a magic wand, microphone, a big spoon for a witches brew)?” the secret is, don’t stop imaginative play just because it makes you feel icky.Cognitive learning is regarded as you are an adult, redirect.

• allow for other healthy outlets of childhood energy. Oftentimes aggressive play in childhood leads to sports play.Cognitive learning is regarded as make sure you are offering various outlets for this type of play. “good guys versus bad guys” play could easily be redirected into a game of sharks and minnows.Cognitive learning is regarded as racing from one side of the playground to the other can expel some pent-up energy. Try marching around the room stomping feet and clapping. Sometimes, aggressive play is just a hint that there is a lot of energy that needs an outlet.Cognitive learning is regarded as

Aggressive play, including gun-play, is a normal stage of childhood. Gun-play is just part of a larger repertoire of play for children. As adults, we must not let our knowledge of real-life violent adult events taint the innocence of childhood.Cognitive learning is regarded as we must stop demonizing children for doing what comes naturally and start exploring ways in which we can support the child’s need for imaginative play.Cognitive learning is regarded as

I don’t particularly like guns. I jump at loud noises. I still have nightmares about the horrific shooting I survived. I never want any of the children in my care to go through what I went through.Cognitive learning is regarded as in my school, seeing children point tinker toys at each other and pretend to shoot is unsettling. But, I know that it is my job as an educator to get down to the child’s level, recognize that they are just children playing, and help them to explore their fears and their hopes in a safe, loving way.Cognitive learning is regarded as