Intro: Good Guys, Bad Guys, and the Language of Play

A 3-part series observational in nature and research-informed. Written by Lainie Holmes, founder and creator of LYKKE Kids in Toronto, Ontario

Kids Love a “Bad Guy”

Get the bad sea monster… You’re the bad alien… Throw the monkey in jail!

Children’s play can be loud and fast at times. Sticks become swords, cardboard becomes something powerful, and stories of good guys and bad guys begin to unfold.

And for us grown-ups, it can feel unsettling. A little uncomfortable.

We wonder if we should stop them from this type of play. Does it encourage them to be too aggressive? Am I sending the wrong message if I let it continue? We might try to emphasize that people aren’t “good” or “bad”… it’s more that people make different choices… but kids don’t buy it.

They are thinking SO much bigger than we are…

A 3-Part Series on “Bad Guys” and Weapon Play

This three-part series invites parents, educators, caregivers (and everyone who cares about kids) to pause and look beneath the surface of this “bad guy” play.

After spending the last few months closely observing this type of play in young children, while also reading professional resources and research articles on the topic, I’m very excited to share with you what I’ve learned so far.

I’ll begin by sharing my observations of boys at play with sticks. We’ll move to the developmental learning that happens through “bad guy” play based on research findings and then culminate in a deeper exploration of why children are drawn to “bad guy” play.

It’s fascinating how by watching carefully and giving kids space to do their thing, we can better understand what they’re trying to do and communicate to us through their play. When our role as adults is not to shut down these moments, but instead to approach it with curiosity and pause to see what unfolds, that’s when kids truly show us the important work they are doing.

Coming Next Week:
Part 1: Watching Closely: Learning From Children at Play