Free Stop the Next War Now by Medea Benjamin Page B

at Wheelock College and the author of Teaching Young Children in Violent Times . “But they often channel children into narrowly scripted play and convey a message that violent play is OK and exciting.” Choosing toys wisely is one way to begin teaching peace to children.
    Schools can teach peace as well. Research shows that well-designed violence-prevention and conflict-resolution programs can have a significant positive impact on students. For example, independent evaluations of the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program, an initiative of Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR), found that it successfully teaches young people the skills of negotiation, mediation, and peacemaking.
    ESR offers its program in four hundred schools around the country. In those schools, educators were better prepared for the events of 9/11, says Linda Lantieri, founding director of the program. “The children in our programs have learned the healing power of love and respect and understanding,” Lantieri says. “They see the connection between the way they treat one another and the way they will treat the world when they are in charge.”
    The Alliance for Childhood, a nonprofit partnership of educators, health care professionals, and other advocates for children, has prepared a brief guide for parents and educators outlining eight concrete steps they can take for peace education at home and at school:
    Make room for peace at home . Outer peace begins with inner peace. Children and adults need special places that give them a sense of privacy and peace and that can serve as a quiet refuge for times when hurt or angry feelings might lead to violent words or actions. It could be a room or just a corner, decorated simply and lovingly, where any family member can go for quiet reflection or prayer, or to work through turbulent feelings.
    Find peace in nature . Turn off the television and the computer and go outside. Take children for a walk or let them explore nature in their own way. The beauty of nature is a great balm to the soul. Children often seek out their own secret outdoor spaces, even if it’s only a corner of the backyard.
    Make time for creative play . Young children need plenty of time for unstructured, creative play. Research indicates that make-believe social play in particular reduces aggression and increases empathy in children. Children also use make-believe play with others to work through feelings of fear and sadness. Choose children’s toys carefully, avoiding those that encourage or glorify violence. truce (www.truceteachers.org) prepares an annual guide to help parents choose good toys. The Lion and Lamb Project (www.lionlamb.org) focuses on how to avoid violent toys.
    Engage children’s hands and hearts . Young children need a direct, hands-on experience of giving. They love to make things, small and large—their own cards, tree ornaments, cookies, or bread—for neighbors, family, or friends. They can learn to enjoy sorting through their own things and even giving away some treasured possessions to others in need if it is part of a family tradition.
    Establish a “family foundation.” Create a homemade bank for donations— a miniature family foundation. Parents, children, visitors, and friends can put money in the bank. Children can be introduced to tithing when they receive gifts, earnings, or allowance. Choose a charity together—one that has personal meaning for the children. When there is a flood, fire, or other disaster, the family can gather to decide whether to make a special donation from the family bank. As the children mature, talk to them more about the needs of the world and ways they can help.
    Support peace education at school . Urge your early-childhood center or school to establish or strengthen peace education and conflict-resolution programs. Contact ESR (www.esrnational.org) or the National Peace Foundation (www.nationalpeace.org) for ideas, including advice on how to create “peace places” in