![]() In other words, playing helps them think more abstractly. When kids act out themes of good and evil, they’re actually learning to bridge the gap between their raw impulses and emotions and the grown-up world of logic, language, and morality, says Dr. We spoke to the experts to find out why it’s so important to let all kids keep playing Jedis vs. Cohen, Ph.D., coauthor of The Art of Roughhousing. Not only has no scientific link been established between play violence in childhood and real violence in adulthood, research shows that rough-and-tumble play brings enormous benefits, like better friendships, improved social behavior, and increased confidence, says psychologist Lawrence J. “It only invites boys to be sneaky and hide their real feelings.” When you slap a negative label on aggressive play and tell boys they have to stop, “you’re telling them that their fantasies and imaginations are bad, and that’s what’s truly dangerous,” says Jane Katch, author of Under Deadman’s Skin: Discovering the Meaning of Children’s Violent Play. But according to the experts, that thinking is not only misguided, it may also be more damaging than toy guns - especially for boys, who are the ones most likely to use them. Even if it’s a swelteringly hot day and that gun is neon green and squirts water. According to a study in Pediatrics, 67 percent of parents believe it’s never OK for a child to play with toy guns. ![]() Could their shoot-’em-ups make them violent later on? ![]() I always find it a little alarming to see my kids acting out these scenarios and often wonder if I should put a stop to their play. They also battle with swords (wrapping-paper rolls) and lasers (flashlights) and are constantly escorting a bad guy (each other) to jail (the sofa). I have two sweet, loving, silly boys who shoot each other on a regular basis - with fingers, sticks, carrots, you name it. ![]()
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