According to Essa & Young, (2003), Superhero play benefits children by helping them experience positive emotions like "courage, strength, pride, glory and wisdom." (p.234) Further, children gain confidence in themselves and in doing so, are able to problem solve and cooperate much better wen placed in collaborative groups with other students. Imitating superheroes also helps them model appropriate behavior and strive to meet their goals. (p.235)
Essa & Young (2003) cite that Saltz, Dixon and Johnson (1977) conducted research on children who performed Superhero play actually improved the social, emotional and cognitive domains in children. Children who have participated in some form of superhero play are believed to use it as an outlet or vent to express their fears, anxieties and frustrations about difficulties they are experiencing. If children are able to express themselves in a safe environment, it helps them pose questions which could help them identify some of the issues that they (children) are too afraid to grapple with when they are growing up. (Essa & Young, 2003, p.235)
I think Superhero play is a big part of dramatic play where children can act out their emotions in a safe place where as for some children they might not have that chance at home. I haven’t seen a lot of it but from what I have seen, it does help build confidence and just to see it in children makes me as an educator feel good because they have this chance to just be free and be kids and to explore all these different elements and beings around them.
ReplyDelete-Courtney