Here at HPT, we fully believe in the power of play and that play is the medium through which children process their world around them. When working as teachers and therapists, we have always received questions and concerns involving specific types of play, particularly those involving “guns” and “shooting”. Below are a couple of articles which may help provide some insight into many play therapists’ view on gun play, as well as how to discuss these concepts with your own child(ren).
In summary from all of the articles:
1. Children using their fingers, sticks, or other objects as weapons to play “good guys and bad guys” is generally a typical and normal part of child development. There has so far not been any correlation between gun play as a child and increased violence or aggression as an adult.
2. It is OK for you as a parent to not be comfortable with this and to set your own limits regarding what you would like your child to play with. Some examples of limits might be “You may not point the water gun at their face. You can point it at their feet instead" or “No pointing at anyone’s body- you can point at a target instead”.
3. Helping guide your child through conversations about “real vs. pretend” can be helpful. Noting that, if they see something on Star Wars, or on the playground, that is pretend. Discussing how real guns can be dangerous and, if you own a gun in your household, how it is important for kids not to hold them or play with them is imperative.
Articles:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/son-obsessed-pretend-toy-guns_l_5de52df6e4b0d50f32a62859
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2018/promoting-gun-safety