Zombies, Blood, Skulls and Cemetaries

There are lots of conversations that you never would think would be necessary or that you would ever have. And then you teach preschool! Some are funny, some are sweet , some are confusing and repetitive, others are heartbreaking. I have had too many conversations this year concerning death, zombies, skeletons , how various people die and blood. When pretend play includes conversations like “pretend the bad guy got me”, ” and you ran from the zombies, ” “and you asked “why are the skeletons there? what happened?”. When block and lego play leads to ” I’m building a cemetery” and “this is a grave.” When casual lunch and snack conversation have dialogue like “do you know how (fill in the blank with any historical person) died? He was shot in the head.” I am concerned, annoyed and shocked. Concerned that this acceptable and what the long-term effects may be. Annoyed that as a society we have become so desensitized that we forget that our children are still impressionable and sensitive to the environment. And shocked that more people are not outraged or at least upset. Maybe I am old school, but I do not believe that young children should be watching anything creepy, bloody, scary, inappropriate or nightmare inducing. No matter what! How does watching horror movies and ‘The Walking Dead” at the age of 4 benefit you in any way? I am also not a big fan of little ones walking, toddling or crawling around with skulls on their clothing, blankets and toys. Really? Can’t we find something slightly more uplifting and pleasant to adorn our babies? Innocence is so short lived and imaginations should not involve cemetery play.