Why Boys Should Be Allowed to Play with Toy Guns
Playing with toy weapons helps the development of young boys, according to new Government advice to nurseries and playgroups.
Staff have been told they must resist their “natural instinct” to stop boys using pretend weapons such as guns or light sabres in games with other toddlers.
Fantasy play involving weapons and superheroes allows healthy and safe risk-taking and can also make learning more appealing, says the guidance.
It conflicts with years of “political correctness” in nurseries and playgroups which has led to the banning of toy guns, action hero games and children pretending to fire “guns” using their fingers or Lego bricks.
But teachers’ leaders insisted last night that guns “symbolise aggression” and said many nurseries and playgroups would ignore the change.
The guidance, called Confident, Capable and Creative: Supporting Boys’ Achievements, is issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
It says some members of staff “find the chosen play of boys more difficult to understand and value than that of girls.” This is mainly because they tend to choose activities with more action, often based outdoors.
“Images and ideas gleaned from the media are common starting points in boys’ play and may involve characters with special powers or weapons.
“Adults can find this particularly challenging and have a natural instinct to stop it.
“This is not necessary as long as practitioners help the boys to understand and respect the rights of other children and to take responsibility for the resources and environment.”
The report says: “Creating situations so that boys’ interests in these forms of play can be fostered through healthy and safe risk-taking will enhance every aspect of their learning and development.” (…)
Research by Penny Holland, academic leader for early childhood at London Metropolitan University, has also concluded that boys should be allowed to play gun games.
She found boys became dispirited and withdrawn when they are told such play-fighting is wrong.
Source: Daily Mail, UK
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January 2nd, 2008 at 5:48 PM
In Waldorf/Steiner schools boys ARE allowed to play with swords even when some parents might disagree. Our educational system doesn’t favor girls or boys in particular but girls usually “accept” or submit because girls are extremely concerned about the impression they cause upon the world (this is why all the make-up, perfume and fashion happens) whereas boys want the world to impress THEM (this why they seek speed,drugs,sex,etc). Until our ed. system understands these differences boys will be regarded as violent and will be shut down only to make them feel lonely and upset with women (who are the primary care givers) and the world.