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After a bit of rough and tumble play that had the potential to inflict hurt on one or more participants, Diane asked the children to discuss strategies to reduce that potential. The children came up with some interesting ideas: from verbal warnings, to time-outs, to naps, to putting repeat offenders in jail. Diane wanted the children to consider creating a form of play that was satisfying but not dangerous. Notice how the children modify their ideas by referencing what the previous child said, such as jail being a reasonable sentence only if you were bad many times, or how one child’s suggestion for a nap as a time-out would also allow the offender to “think about what he had done.” These are just a few examples of children co-constructing rules around issues of social justice.
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