Wooden Sword and Shield

Playing knights was always a favorite game in my kindergarten class. The swords were kept in a special place. If a child wished to play with a sword, he or she first had to be "knighted." This meant putting on a silk cape and sitting on a special bench.

I would then hold up the sword and we'd have the following dialogue.

MISS SARAH: John Andrew Young, have you been good?

CHILD: Oh, yes!

MISS SARAH: Have you been true?

CHILD: Oh, yes!

MISS SARAH: Have you heard the stars singing in the sky?

CHILD: Oh, yes!

MISS SARAH: Here is your sword. Use it for right [touching right shoulder with tip of sword], to carry the light [touching left shoulder]. Not for some silly quarrel or fight [handing sword to child].

This little ritual let children know it was an honor to be a knight and that swords were symbols of courage, not harm. And, yes, girls wanted to be knighted, too! Remember Joan of Arc?