Managing Superhero Play
Most young children enjoy pretend play and love to imitate action heroes. But many teachers, parents and child care workers say the influence of children's superhero TV shows or movies can result in havoc when little fans get together.
The challenge is to control the aggression that may arise in such play, while recognizing the important role that this kind of "creative drama" plays in the healthy development of children. Properly supervised, superhero play can be a great outlet for energy and a wonderful stimulus for the imagination.
- Choose the time and place (outdoors is best) for superhero play. If children know that there's a time when superhero play will be allowed, even if it's for a short time, it will be less likely to spill over into other times of the day.
- Emphasize the creative aspects of superhero play. Make the creation of the costumes, props and the setting as important as the play itself. Develop story plots that allow for action without serious fighting.
- Set a rule that aggressive behavior is unacceptable. Step in before play becomes too aggressive, and designate a safe spot – a comfy chair or a certain tree – as a retreat if the play gets to be too much for a child.
- Reduce watching of aggressive superhero shows. Young children are at a higher risk of becoming aggressive after watching violent TV (especially cartoons) so it's best to limit the amount of violent programs they're exposed to.
- Talk about the kinds of TV superheroes and heroines kids like to watch. What qualities do superheroes and heroines have that make them special? Ask children who they admire in real life (for example: a teacher, Scout or Guide leader, and grandparent). What qualities make those people a hero in the child's eyes?
- Show children how everyone can be a hero. Involve the family in raising money for a charity – for example, participating in the annual Terry Fox run to raise money for cancer research. Point out individuals who are featured in the newspaper for their contributions to the community.
- Discuss the ways that conflicts are solved on superhero shows. When children are accustomed to seeing superheroes using violence as a solution to problems, appropriate responses must be constantly reinforced. Talk about conflict resolution skills and how they could be applied to situations that superheroes and heroines find themselves in.
- Give children choices and power in real life: Let kids feel the responsibility and autonomy that comes from making real life decisions. The decisions can be as simple as what to have for lunch or which playground to visit.
- Help children recognize the humane characteristics of television characters. Emphasis the positive, non-violent behaviors of superheroes and heroines. Point out children's own helpful behavior.
- Show them new ways of playing with the action toys they already have. The toys could be involved in a rescue mission on a mountain; or the "good" guys and the "bad" guys might work together on something. Do the "bad" guys have a home to go to at night? Do they have children?
- Talk about the programming formula of superhero shows. Kids' action shows follow a predictable pattern of action and stereotypical characters. Pointing out these consistencies in plot and characters can lessen some of the power these shows hold for children.
Use teachable moments. When children are wearing uncomfortable Halloween costumes, for instance, talk about the actors who have to wear heavy costumes for hours while playing a TV role.