Embracing Superhero Play in Early Childhood Settings: Envisioning Teachable Moments of Resiliency and Reciprocity

• In Event: Roundtable Session 48
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding and Facilitating Children's Play in Early Childhood Classrooms

Abstract

This study investigated the role of superhero play in early childhood settings. Five questions guided the study: (1) What are the benefits of superhero play for children? (2) How do children perceive themselves as superheroes? (3) What formal and informal methods do children employ for interacting with peers during superhero play? (4) What types of challenges and attitudes do teachers have when considering banning or support superhero play in their classrooms? (5) How can early childhood teachers reconceptualize superhero play in classrooms as a play pedagogy offering resiliency for children and reciprocity with peers? Results of this study suggest, when guided appropriately, superhero play gives children mindful connections helping them gain a sense of resiliency and reciprocity with peers.

Author

• Kathleen I. Harris, Seton Hill University