Spring is my favorite season of the year, and Easter is its tradition-filled highlight. Easter, like Christmas, is a holiday which includes many pre-Christian customs and traditions. Easter celebrates new growth and new life. We give Easter baskets to children and decorate with signs of new life including eggs,ducklings, chicks, and bunnies. Easter is also Christianity’s highest holy day. We remember that Jesus suffered a violent death for the sake of the world and was raised by God, shattering the power of violence and evil. In the miracle of Easter, we remember that love is stronger even than death.
Did you notice the Easter baskets this season? In K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid and other stores, merchants sold Easter baskets pre-filled with toy hand grenades, seven-inch plastic battle knives, and toy guns. Merchants have responded that they are simply offering consumers what they want to buy. Some have even stated that selling war toys is therapeutic, helping children to deal with the reality of war through play. Rubbish. War is not child’s play and never will be. If children need weapons to sort out adult topics in their play, why not offer an Easter basket filled with pretend liquor bottles and candy cigarettes to help them sort out other adult issues?
As foster parents, youth specialists, and socia workers, we have a responsibility to help children sort out and make sense of all violence, including the images of war that so many children regularly view. But rather than providing violent toys in an already too-violent world, consider the following suggestions from Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, “Dr. Toy,” from the Institute for Childhood Resources:
HELPING CHILDREN USE PLAY TO SAFELY WORK OUT SCARY EVENTS AND VIOLENCE
When young children see and hear about the war they can become confused or frightened, or just interested in figuring out the meaning of what they saw. They often then try to bring this content into their PLAY where they can work out ideas and feelings. Here are guidelines to help you respond effectively when such play occurs.
• Watch children as they play to learn more about what they know, are struggling to understand, and may be worried about. This will help you figure out how to respond.
• Remember: it's normal & helpful for children to bring graphic aspects of what they see & hear about the war into their play.
• If the play gets scary or dangerous, gently intervene and redirect it. For example, ask children, "How could people help each other?"
• Help them expand and develop their play so it does not just imitate the violence. Provide toys such as rescue and medical vehicles. Follow children's leads in what you do. Don't take over the play.
• After the play, talk together about the play. "Who were the bad guys in your play?" Reassure them about their safety. Answer questions simply. Clear up confusions. Teach alternatives to harmful lessons children may be learning.
We are people who have responded to a call to serve those who are often survivors of violence. We are aware that unless challenged, violence can all too easily remain an everyday part of the lives of those we serve. Helping our children and youth to understand violence is one of our special tasks as treatment providers. Standing against violence as a form of entertainment is equally important.
May this season bring you joy. May it also help you to stand faithfully in your daily life as a servant for healing and non-violence.
~ Yours in Christ, Rev. Steve Putka<>
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