An armored personnel carrier with weapons in the school yard worried some parents from Chernivtsi

Psychologists explained why they were wrong

A real armored personnel carrier, loaded with various types of military weapons, arrived at a school in the village of Chernivtsi, in the Kurgan region. Parents’ opinions on this matter were divided, some of them were concerned whether this had caused anxiety in their children. Some, on the contrary, believe that this was a contribution to the patriotic education of schoolchildren.

At the Chernivtsi high school they clarify that the armored personnel carrier came to the Courage Lesson. According to the teaching staff, the lesson was taught by “real military personnel from the combat zone,” and an armored personnel carrier, grenade launcher, machine guns and machine guns were captured as a visual aid.

According to members of the teachers’ council, the guests first told the schoolchildren about the everyday life of the defender of the Motherland, and then began to sing patriotic songs. The lesson ended with the words: “Russia is a peace-loving country, whose citizens stand in defense of Peace, Goodness and Justice! And therefore Victory will be ours.” And a group photo with an armored personnel carrier in the background.

“Nothing surprising,” answers our question about why some parents were worried, a school psychologist from the capital Elizaveta Moreva. – The majority of parents of those who now go to school are among those who know only from hearsay about Soviet lessons in non-proprietary military training and formations in gas masks. Their generation puts an exclusively negative meaning into the word “militarization,” which is why even now they are concerned about the demonstration of the military power of our country to those who have not yet reached the age of matriculation.

Children watch the military parade on May 9 every year, not to mention the news on TV and the Internet. In the regions, children see falling drones, and here is a “peaceful” armored personnel carrier in a school lesson. In addition, due to the agenda, children now have an interest in military equipment, symbols, and weapons.

Even in times of peace, children play war, even girls. After all, this is a role-playing game where both children’s imagination and knowledge received from adults are involved. Therefore, the quality of how children “fight” among themselves depends on the quality of the information that was instilled in them at school and at home.

If a child is intimidated at home by military actions or, on the contrary, they try to protect him from this information altogether, a child prone to anxious and suspicious states may fall into anxiety and fear. Adults just have to make sure that the information in the game is not aggressive, but educational – for example, historical battles and battles. Or aimed at learning new skills, like the game “Zarnitsa” from the Soviet past.

At our request, psychologists highlighted the benefits that “war” brings to children – of course, gaming.

Helps relieve accumulated negative energy.

Refers to plot-role-playing mass games that contribute to the development of communication and coordination skills in younger schoolchildren.

Forms the psychology of a defender, a fighter for truth, goodness and justice (if adults properly guide children).

Teaches you to act together, as a team, to quickly and adequately respond to the actions and actions of other participants in the game.

It teaches you to follow the rules established together, come up with them together with the team, and then obey your “own laws.” And if necessary, defend your position.