– The Response.” Focus on Ethics. Parents and educators must be conscientious about creating safe and welcoming spaces for children to explore gender expression without being boxed in to obsolete and harmful gender stereotypes. Some families may be worried about their children’s future school experiences during their middle childhood and teen years. Gender stereotyping emerges hand in hand with the development of gender identity in Early Childhood (Halim). Access to society journal content varies across our titles. As a result, gender stereotypes create narrow-minded perceptions of who or what students might identify. The most important thing that a teacher or director can do with families is listen carefully and try to understand their concerns. Though teachers should keep in mind that a much longer and more comprehensive unit on gender diversity, gender nonconformity and social justice is most likely extremely necessary to combat the socially enforced gender stereotypes that children have been internalizing since birth, we believe the materials used in this lesson study may provide a wonderful starting place for any teachers looking to implement these concepts in their curriculum. We thank them for contributing to this analysis. She needed to respect Michael’s preferences while working effectively and sensitively with his parents. Contemporary issues in early childhood. For example, investigating what children play with, what they see in the world around them, and what their parents encourage or discourage is of paramount importance. J.A. The students walked as silently as possible to their chosen corners as the blindfolded student in the center of the room counted slowly from one to fifteen. Stephanie Feeney, PhD, is professor emerita of education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. P-2.6—As families share information with us about their children and families, we shall ensure that families’ input is an important contribution to the planning and implementation of the program. This research examined the extent to which second graders have internalized gender stereotypes, and how they have shaped their own identities around these stereotypes. Create a link to share a read only version of this article with your colleagues and friends. If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. If possible, make your restrooms available to all genders. Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator: Using the NAEYC Code, 3rd ed. Nancy has written extensively on professional ethics and has been involved in the NAEYC Code’s revisions and the development of its supplements. Donate to help NAEYC advance a strong and dynamic early childhood profession and connect educators to cutting-edge resources. The other three gender identity variables encourage self-serving behavior (e.g., dominance) if children view it as appropriate for their gender. P-2.10—We shall respond to families’ requests to the extent that the requests are congruent with program philosophy, standards of good practice, and the resources of the program. This opens a forum for students to learn and discuss that gender expression does not need to fit a strict dichotomy without having to bring in personal experiences if they do not feel comfortable doing so. Felt same-gender typicality promotes self-esteem and protects children from harmful effects of stressors, but it is associated with negative attitudes toward other-gender peers and activities unless children feel at least somewhat similar to the other gender as well. The four corners of the classroom had been labeled Corner 1, Corner 2, Corner 3 and Corner 4. These are examples of how Michael’s gender expression (how a person shows their gender to the world through external choices) is currently gender nonconforming (it does not follow prevailing cultural and social expectations about what is appropriate for their gender). Includes resources for children, families, and teachers, and training materials addressing a wide range of topics. Freeman. Find research-based resources, tips and ideas for families—from child development to reading, writing, music, math, and more! Healthy Gender Development and Young Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Programs and Professionals. For instance, any single person’s identity is influenced by a multitude of factors, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexuality, gender, family life, community involvement, social class, language, physical and mental ability, health, agency, perceived power and ability, and education. Although parents have the biggest influence on a child’s gender identity, they do not represent the only influence. In this version of Four Corners, one student was blindfolded in the center of the room. by Maria Mola (2017). There are simple ways to make classrooms more inclusive, like avoiding consistently dividing children into groups by gender. Stephanie Brill & Rachel Pepper (2008). These feelings typically become more flexible with age. As evidenced by their responses to the Max read aloud and discussion, the powerpoint presentation, the Four Corners activity, and the Amazing Grace read aloud and discussion. For instance, in the first round of the game, Corner 1 represented soccer, Corner 2 represented dance, Corner 3 represented cooking, and Corner 4 represented drawing. She disguises herself as a boy to learn the craft and ultimately changes her father’s views. Introducing Teddy, by Jessica Walton, illus. “Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment.” Position statement. teachers, dancers, nurses, librarians). Young children have always engaged in various forms of gender play, exploration, and identification. Ehrensaft, D. 2011. Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love (2018). We will then consider the unique challenges presented by this case and explore some resources that might be helpful to teachers and administrators who are working with children like Michael and their families. While this has opened up space for conversations about gender nonconforming and trans-identified children, some adults (including some educators, parents, grandparents) still attempt to stop the behavior (as in the case of Michelle’s parents) or attempt to rigidly categorize the behavior (assuming they can predict the child’s ultimate identity). Simply select your manager software from the list below and click on download. At ages 5 to 6 years, most children are rigid about gender stereotypes and preferences. 2011. Imitation is alive and well, Gender bias in children’s perceptions of personality traits, Experimental existential psychology: Coping with the facts of life, Is gender more important and meaningful than race? Teachers working with families who are concerned about how their children are expressing their gender identity need to be flexible and well prepared. At the time, we were intrigued by the vehemence with which the girls were defending that perfume “could only be used by women.” We wanted to explain that it did not really matter if the boy’s uncle wanted to use perfume—is it so wrong that people of any gender might want to smell good, and prefer a “feminine” scent over a “masculine” one? Kilman, C. 2013. This website focuses specifically on young children and offers resources and links to help educators consider their language, teaching practices, and programs from a gender justice perspective. People who are not trans are, therefore, cis. police officers, coaches, basketball players, doctors, to name a few), and drew women for the stereotypically female-dominated professions (i.e. Discover practical tips and innovative ideas for preschool teachers in our award-winning magazine. Search an ECE degree directory, explore professional standards, and join our community of practice. Feeney, S., & N.K. Celebrate young children and their families with hands-on activities encouraging movement and healthy lifestyles through music, food, and art. In relation to policy, professional development for educators at all grade levels is vital, especially considering the findings of this research. In order to create a more equitable, inclusive and just world, it is absolutely necessary to challenge stereotypes on both sides of the gender binary and recognize identities that fall outside of the binary [9,10]. Washington, DC: NAEYC. In this context, children’s healthy sexual development involves learning about their bodies, feelings, and relationships. Kohlberg's theory of gender identity development describes how young children learn to understand their gender, and what being that gender means in their everyday life. “Code of Ethical Conduct: Supplement for Early Childhood Program Administrators.” Washington, DC: NAEYC. Furthermore, engaging the community, parents and children in these efforts is critical for ownership and a sense of validation for their own learning and understanding gender roles if the adult world around the children reflected the same values. She and her husband were very concerned about his behavior, and she asked Ana not to allow Michael to play with any “girl stuff” at school. A family’s journey of learning and acceptance begins when their 3-year-old son announces that he wants to be a girl when he grows up. At the conclusion of the read-aloud, the teacher and students had a conversation about why Max felt the reservations that he did regarding dance class, and then the researchers showed the students a brief self-created powerpoint presentation entitled “People Doing Things They Love.” In this powerpoint, images were shown of people happily engaged in professions not typically associated with their biologically assigned gender, such as female pilots, male nurses, male and female dancers, female soccer players, male and female scientists, and male and female teachers, mainly to impress upon students that individuals are able to choose to be whomever they want to be.

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