Children Work Through Issues that are Troubling Them!

Older preschoolers can take on the roles of fictional characters and act out situations they find frightening or that make them feel out of control. For example, pretending to be a superhero who protects a classmate from a bad guy(bully) might empower a child who is being bullied him/herself. It may give the child a sense of mastery over someone or something he/she fears.

I observed Hadley, Aaron, Sam, and Oliver constructing what looked like locks, in the dramatic play center. At one point they asked me for a roll of tape. When I handed the tape to Hadley I asked her, why she needed the tape. Her reply, "We are making tool and sweeper locks, so the bad guys don't get out!" I then ask them, "Why are they bad guys?" Oliver said, "Because the are not being nice to us!" Aaron said,"They are mean to us, that's why they are bad!"

The "Tool and Sweeper Locks" are not only creative they actually work! If anyone is in need of a new lock just ask the Tel Aviv All Stars...They clearly know what they are doing!