PvP

Over the weekend, two of my players got into an argument over the correct initiative order, and then attempted to target each other's characters with their attacks. To top it off, they got into a slap-fight after the encounter ended.

I should also mention that their ages are seven and four.

Matthew, at seven, has the reading and math skills necessary to understand the rules, as well as the imagination necessary to portray a character in a fantastical world. Four-year-old Nathaniel clearly isn't ready. That wasn't a problem until recently, however, when Nathaniel expressed a strong interest in playing D&D just like his big brother. Expecting him to get bored in a matter of minutes, I handed him the mini for an NPC guest star -- a sleazy human archer named Griff -- and told him that he could control that character. He handled it better than I expected. He understands concepts like taking turns, moving his mini a certain number of squares on the map, and making attack and damage rolls, but he can't read or add well enough to play without major assistance. Still, he took an immediate liking to Griff, and now, for all intents and purposes, Griff is his character. He squeals with obvious enjoyment whenever Griff fells a monster, and at the conclusion of each combat encounter he gleefully exclaims, "Let's play D&D again!"