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'Talk to children about war'

Early years practitioners should not shy away from discussing children's reactions to the prospect of war with Iraq or ban war games from the nursery or playground, because it can be counter-productive, according to two leading academics in the field. Janet Moyles, professor of education at Anglia Polytechnic University, said, 'We should, as practitioners, observe these representations of violence, understand where children are coming from and why they are doing it and then, rather than sweep it under the carpet, discuss together - adults and children in a simple straightforward way - the basis of the play.'

Janet Moyles, professor of education at Anglia Polytechnic University, said, 'We should, as practitioners, observe these representations of violence, understand where children are coming from and why they are doing it and then, rather than sweep it under the carpet, discuss together - adults and children in a simple straightforward way - the basis of the play.'

She added that children are 'more likely to be supported if they can play in an informed and sensitive environment, rather than one which simply bans guns because of a sense that somehow it is "wrong" for children to play with guns'.

This approach is backed up by Penny Holland, senior lecturer in early childhood education at London Metropolitan University, who has undertaken extensive research challenging the effectiveness of the existing policy in most settings of zero tolerance towards war, weapons and superhero play.

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