The much anticipated version 2.0 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) came out this week. It’s much bolder — and not just in colour scheme! If you’re an early years educator with an interest in social activism you now have more support to do work that has often been referred to as “too political”.… Continue reading Gender and the EYLF V2.0
Singular They
Gendered Clothing
I thought everyone, or everyone with children at least, knew about the differences between boy and girl section clothing — because it’s been blogged about a lot (e.g. here, here, and here). However, I posted these photos above of T-shirts from a “girl” section vs T-shirts from a “boy” section on facebook. My friends took… Continue reading Gendered Clothing
Bluey
How exciting is it that new episodes of Bluey are out?!!! We all just want to talk about Bluey don’t we? I have so much to say, that I’ll be breaking one of my blogging rules of keeping posts short if I say it all. So today I’ll just share one idea about Bluey. Bluey… Continue reading Bluey
Gender Expression Clothes Rack
This is another provocation with which I love watching children engage! For some it is the very first time they’ve truly had the opportunity to choose their own clothes — and that’s what it’s about. Not dressing up and playing make believe, but choosing your own style, your own gender expression. From my observations, unless… Continue reading Gender Expression Clothes Rack
Impact beyond kids
I was reminded yesterday by a parent that doing gender work with children has a much greater reach than just the kids involved in the work. The parent tweeted a story about their child correcting the parent’s gendered assumptions and credited the work I had done with the child’s class last year. This goes to… Continue reading Impact beyond kids
Change takes time!
You’re probably reading Singular They because you are trying to get ideas on how to create a more gender expansive space and that is excellent. But let me remind you, it takes time! This can be extremely frustrating because when we know things aren’t right and we know specific changes that would help us correct… Continue reading Change takes time!
Red: A Crayon’s Story
The book Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall discusses being transgender through a metaphor of a crayon that has the label “red” but is actually blue. This is a rather gentle approach to discussing gender with kids. Children won’t necessarily understanding that this is a metaphor for being transgender, but you could help them… Continue reading Red: A Crayon’s Story
Hairdressing Mannequins
Another of my favourite provocations you can set up for children to explore their gender identity and expression is hairdressing mannequins. Kids love this too. You can set up a table with hair dressing mannequins, brushes, combs, a spray bottle of water, and a variety of hair accessories such as ties, clips and bands (both… Continue reading Hairdressing Mannequins
Friends, People, Everyone.
Please, stop saying “boys and girls” when addressing a group of children. There’s two reasons I want to touch on here. First, is their gender important in this instance? I’m guessing it isn’t. Second, do you really only want boys and girls, or do you want all of the children including the nonbinary ones? I’m… Continue reading Friends, People, Everyone.
Neither
Neither by Airlie Anderson is one of my favourite books! It’s a simple story about an animal that is part bunny and part bird. They start out in a land where there are only bunnies and birds, but they are told they don’t fit in and need to leave. They then come across The Land… Continue reading Neither