SPOTLIGHT ON...

Supporting play fighting, a genuine play type

Wrestling; climbing and clambering over one another; rolling around on the floor; using fingers to ‘shoot guns’ (and many more examples) are instinctive in children and not dissimilar to young animal instincts if you’ve watched kittens or puppies playing.

Whatever we call it, from rough and tumble, play fighting or super hero play, it is a recognised play type.

Allowing children to play in these ways is important as it supports the development of many skills, not least problem solving and taking turns.

When intent is playful, this play is cooperative competition that is reciprocal. It helps support emotional literacy and children’s understanding of their own and other people’s emotions.

Through this play, children can safely explore moral dilemmas and develop an understanding of the world.

Often children are curious about good and evil; themes of being rescued by a hero; people being trapped and then freed or escaping. These themes are throughout the TV, films, books, comics and toys that they are consuming.

Despite the inevitability and the many benefits, adults can find these play themes difficult, resulting in stopping the play. This often has the opposite affect, fueling children’s desire for it or pushing it underground.

When working with children, we avoid the words fighting, and weapons and use the term ‘scrap on scrap’ when children use items of scrap to play fight.

What you see and hear from children play fighting vs. being aggressive towards another are very different. Staff can be supported to manage both in a way that is beneficial to all.