Weapons, Safety, and Pretend Gunplay

This list gives resources for parents and teachers about how to keep children safe from weapons in the home and how to respond to pretend gunplay in the classroom and home.
Web Resources
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5 Questions to Ask Before a Playdate
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
Visiting another family’s home for a playdate is a fun event, but before the playdate it is a good idea to talk with the other parent about household habits, rules, and expectations. This online article gives parents some important questions to ask.
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Gun Safety
(also in Spanish)Source: Nemours KidsHealth
This article for parents explains the safest ways to store a gun, why proper gun storage is important, why you should think about guns in the homes of family and friends, and what kids should understand about guns.
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Guns in the Home
Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article explains the serious risks of having a gun in the home including accidental shootings, suicide, and homicide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that the safest home for a child is one without guns. This article also details how to keep children safe in your home and in other homes.
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Is There An Unlocked Gun Where Your Child Plays?
(also in Spanish)Source: HealthyChildren.org
This article for parents explains why safe gun storage is so important to keep kids safe, and includes both a parent-to-parent story and a 30-second video about safe gun storage.
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Preschoolers and Pretend Gunplay: What Should We Do About It?
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
This article and audio interview with a preK teacher focuses on how she addresses gunplay in an inner city public school at-risk preschool center.
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Pretend Play, Superheroes, and Weapons – Oh My!
Source: OneOp
This article addresses how children engage in imaginary weapon play and includes resources that discuss different perspectives on weapon play.
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Superhero and Gun Play in the Classroom
Source: Learning Professor
This article for educators describes four ways to respond to superhero and gun play and how to choose the right option for you.
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Viewpoint. Promoting Gun Safety: Sharing Knowledge of Child Development to Support Informed Decisions
Source: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
This article for parents and educators draws on knowledge of child development to inform how families can take steps towards gun safety in the home.
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What to Do About Children Playing Guns
Source: Transforming Challenging Behavior
This article for early childhood educators gives a variety of perspectives from educators and school leaders across the country about how they respond to children’s pretend gun play in the classroom.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Home
- Family Child Care
- Child Care Center
- Preschool Program
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):