Gun and Superhero Play Policy

We support all children’s interests to further develop their play, learning and development, including the use of gun and superhero play, in line with the EYFS requirements and our Quality provision policy, Early learning opportunities statement and Promoting positive behaviour policy. Children will often take part in gun and superhero to make sense of the world around them. They may develop this interest from:
• Watching their favourite movie or TV characters involved in physical battles with weapons
• Witnessing an older sibling or parent playing an online game with weapons
• The child’s parent working with guns as part of their professional job role
• First-hand experience of witnessing or involvement in traumatic experiences.

The benefits of supporting gun and superhero play are:
• Supporting children to follow their interests
• Developing imagination
• Resolving conflicts
• Building self-esteem
• Language development
• Supporting emotional development by making sense of their experiences
• Developing physical skills.

We believe all children should be free to follow their play in a safe environment with adults who can positively support their play. We implement the following procedures to ensure that this type of play is appropriately supported:
• Ensure staff give the same positive praise for children engaged in gun and superhero play as they do for children engaged in other activities
• Engage with children and agree rules for gun and superhero play so everybody can play safely
• Allocate an agreed zone for this type of play so children who do not want to get involved can play undisturbed
• Use superhero play to tell stories
• Look at real life heroes who help the children. Talk about what makes somebody a hero. Create our own display of heroes in the children’s lives
• Include action figures and capes (squares of material) in our continuous provision. Ask parents for donations of unwanted superhero costumes
• Talk about conflict resolution (age and stage appropriate) and different solutions for solving conflicts
• Be sensitive to the needs of children and families who may have experienced trauma, seeking the support of external professionals if required.