I teach at a small private and very reputable Montessori/Reggio program in Seattle. I teach the oldest students (4-5yrs) and have a very small class size. Clearly, the topic of guns and violence in the media is a hot button right now. Following the school shooting in Connecticut, the teachers in our program began to look closer at the way we respond/react to this information with our kids. Ideally, we shelter them and protect their innocence for as long as possible, but I'm finding that our filtering this information at home is not enough anymore and inevitably, it comes into the classroom. I experienced this first hand when, during a lesson about Martin Luther King Jr, a student described in detail his assassination. We continued to talk about this, putting a big emphasis on the life MLK and his teachings that "we can all be friends even though we are different." The mention of his passing did lead to questions and comments, however, which brought us into an unplanned but important talk about guns. It was noted that police carry guns by one student "to shoot bad guys." I explained that police try not to use their guns and that when we have problems, words work best. As I could tell that this conversation was getting deeper, I invited the school director to join the classroom. One student asked "What's a gun?" while another replied "It's a black thing with a handle and a little bomb inside of it." Another student remarked that he might have nightmares about this and another asked why we were talking about guns since "we aren't allowed to talk about guns at school." The director and I continued to stress that we have a safe and peaceful school, and asked the students about our previous safety lessons with matches, The children all remembered and agreed that, should we ever find matches, we should tell an adult as they as not safe to touch or play with. We then asked if guns were the same in that they can be very dangerous. We continued our conversation by honoring the children's thoughts and feelings on the subject and trying our best to answer any questions in an appropriate manner. A student noted that MLK had been arrested many times when he was alive and asked why. We explained that, back then, there were rules that weren't fair for everyone and our policemen and lawmakers didn't know better yet. We said that MLK was trying to change the rules to make the world better for everyone. (This part of the discussion proved to be even more pertinent when we realized later in the day that, as the children were having this discussion our president was proposing new gun controls.) We concluded the conversation by acknowledging that the children may have more questions or feelings that they need to talk about and encouraged them to talk to any of the teachers whenever they need to. We also reminded them that, while talking about feelings on guns with a grown up is ok, even at school, playing gun games at school is not. The children agreed and we told them that "we don't need to talk about this all the time, though. There are lots of happy and fun things in our world for us to learn about too!" Although this was not planned, we do feel that it is unfortunately an inevitable topic regardless of what we think our children are or are not being exposed to. I have shared the language that we are using with the children with their parents and got very positive responses. To be quite honest, this is very new territory for me, as I imagine it is for all of us. I told the parents that my hope is that we can work together to assure that the children feel safe yet acknowledged in their desires for knowledge and emotional expression. I know this is a lot of information, but here is where it leads me. I wonder what, as a school or personal policy, do you know about presenting this type of information to kids of this age group? What research have you found? I am trying to cast my nets out there to collect as many knowledgeable perspectives as possible so that I may go forward with as much information on the subject as possible.
Excellent question in light of todays gun issues. I have no solution, but want to see what others have to say.
In our public elementary school, we are to change the subject if gun topics come up in class. We emphasize, if necessary, how our school is keeping everyone safe and then we move on. It sounds like you need to control the topic and flow of conversation. I understand honoring their questions, but the classroom, for such young children, is not the place to do so. I would let the parents know if a child had concerns or worries so the family can address them.
This may not be what you are looking for, but the NRA has an excellent program for kids. I think it is called Eddie the Eagle. It emphasizes safety. For example, if they find a gun (or any dangerous item - here I use it for rattlesnakes) - they should freeze, back away and tell an adult - never to touch it. . I have a lot of parents who are in the military or police, so I think ignoring the fact kids may be around guns either in their own homes or at a friend's home does them a disservice. Children are hurt or killed every year by exploring their parent's guns or showing them off to friends. I also know kids who found one in a gutter on the way to school. Basic safety information about them, just like safety information on any other subject, should be provided, no matter what parents or teachers feel about the subject or their politics.
Completely agree with scmom. I don't agree at all with avoiding the subject. That is a large part of the reason we are in the place we are IMO. I think the OP handled the situation well.
While I would support gun safety instruction in the home, I'm not sure that I would do that in the classroom with out clear, written permission from admin. So many people are so opposed to guns that any talk about guns, even if it's about gun safety, could cause an uproar. I'd want to be certain that my admin would have my back. I'm honestly not sure how to address it with little kids. I've talked briefly about it with my high schoolers when they've brought up the subject. My approach has always been to tell them that we teachers will do everything we can to keep them safe, that it's important that they know how to be safe in an emergency, and that they can always come to me or any teacher if they are afraid for their safety or the safety of others. We always have a quick review of our emergency procedures (which, in my opinion, could stand to be updated, but that's something for another post) so that I know that they know what to do.
It probably does help that the OP and I teach in private schools. I'm sure public schools are a different story entirely.
I think you handled the discussion beautifully and so age-appropriate. I also do not believe avoidance is the answer at all, in light of the fact that there are so many homes with guns, legal or not. It is an issue that must be addressed, age-appropriately of course, if the topic is brought up.
Als Pals We just started doing Al's Pals this year and it is an awesome social/emotional curriculum, it addresses general safety in weekly lessons, some of it is uncomfortable to teach, like sexual predators, when daddy or mommy gets angry, and a few weeks on gun safety. It goes a little into the real world and it just feels odd talking and teaching about this, but it is done via puppets, simple activities, and community meetings. My kids really seem to love it, parents seem on board, and I think next year it will be more comfortable to teach. If you have the opportunity to look at it in-depth it may be something that would give you a framework to address these questions.
