Rethinking Weapon Play in Early Childhood: How to Encourage Imagination, Kindness, and Consent in Your Classroom

This thought-provoking read invites you to reconsider your automatic "no" when it comes to young children’s weapon play. It offers new perspectives on how weapon play and other risky or controversial play can provide opportunities for healing discussions—including around boundaries, kindness, and consent—and create positive learning experiences for children and teachers alike. Centered in an antiracist framework with applications across diverse communities, the book is written by two educators with unique lived experiences of community violence and safety who each share their perspectives on risky play, questions to consider, and strategies to try in the classroom. Aiming to inspire new ways of thinking, instead of trying to change your mind outright, this book asks deep questions to support you in carefully thinking about the kind of play allowed in your classroom. This book is an essential resource for early years teachers, practitioners, and anyone with a key interest in creating supportive spaces for young children.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Focusing on Self-Reflection 2. Making a Connection to Child Development 3. Defining Weapon Plan 4. Conversation, Kindness, and Consent 5. Weapon Play in Your Community 6. Weapon Play During Frightening Times 7. So You’re Uncomfortable 8. The Importance of Connection 9. Resources 10. Final Reflections and Your Monday Morning Moment of Truth

About the Author :
Samuel Broaden (he/they) is an early childhood author, advocate, and speaker. He has worked in various roles within the early education field and now spends his time speaking and sharing his philosophy on childhood. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his husband Perry and their three (very spoiled) dogs Oliver, Baby Bear, and Moon Broaden. Kisa Marx is an early childhood practitioner and advocate with over two decades in the field. She is most passionate about her purposeful role in founding The Play Lab Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides humanity centering, self-affirming, and high-quality care for every child. When Kisa is not fighting for the rights of children, you can find her with her partner tending to their garden of adult children, pets, and plants.