"Treat others as you want to be treated." 

A 6-year-old said that to me today, through the voice of an imaginary character in our game. His robot-kitty immediately proceeded to scratch my pink bunny stuffed animal, in retribution for her earlier shenanigans. Pink bunny stepped back and said, "I'm confused. You said treat others like you want to be treated. But you scratched me. So do you want me to scratch you?"

The boy hesitated. "No. Treat others like you want to be treated. And you were mean. You should treat others like you want to be treated. You were bad! That's why I scratched you!"

Bunny continued, "I wasn't trying to be mean. I LOVE having lollipops in my hair! Then I can eat them whenever I want!"

*Robo-kitty scratches again*

“I didn't realize you wouldn't like if you had lollipops in your hair while you were sleeping. I thought you would like that! “

*kitty scratches again*

"I'm so sorry that I hurt your feelings. That wasn't my intention. I wanted you to have lollipops!"

Robo-kitty speaks again, "But you should treat others how you want to be treated!"

The bunny is confused. "So you want me to scratch you?!"

Kitty: "What no??"

Bunny: "But you are scratching my body. You said treat others how you want to be treated."

Kitty: "… I think maybe... I don't actually understand what treat others how you want to be treated means."

Bunny: "Oh. It is pretty confusing... Well, how do you want to be treated?"

Kitty: "I want you to just be nice, and give me snuggles, and don't do bad things to me like putting lollipops in my fur."

Bunny: "Oh! So that's how you should treat others then! Be nice, give snuggles, and don't do bad things to other people. I’ll try to remember to treat you like that!" 

Kitty: "Yeah, you should treat others how you want to be treated!"

Bunny: "Yes. You should treat others how you want to be treated."

Kitty: "No, not mee, youuu!"

Bunny: "Oh. So I should treat others how I want to be treated." 

Kitty: "...yes... you should..."

Bunny: "I should."

*Robot kitty toy snuggles bunny stuffed animal*

Play is not just learning, play can also be therapy. 

Hey maybe I should make a kid’s TV show. Anyone know someone at Netflix?

Modern Mr. Rogers style. 

He’s one of my biggest heroes.

Instead of Daniel Tiger, I’ll have a little green koala/bear/monkey creature named Dada.

Perhaps I’ll write more about Dada’s adventures with my 5-year-old friends soon. She’s a trip.

Hmmm….