Gender equal play in early learning and childcare

Picture books are a powerful tool for helping very young children make sense of the world. What children see in picture books, and the ideas that they take on board from the books they read can shape their view of the world for years to come. It is therefore very important that gender roles in picture books are not stereotyped or prescriptive. Children should have opportunities to see all girls and boys as bold, and brave and caring, sensitive, active or independent. By showing them that there are no limits on gender, we give children the freedom to be who they want to be from a very young age.

Here is a selection of wonderful picture books that challenge gender stereotypes and the roles of men and women in society.

• How to be a Lion by Ed Vere
• Clive and his Babies by Jessica Spanyol
• Rosa loves Cars by Jessica Spanyol
• Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
• Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton and Dougal MacPherson
• I’m a Girl! by Yasmeen Ismail
• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
• Baking with Dad by Aurora Cacciapuoti
• Tough Guys have Feelings Too by Keith Negley
• Flip and Find Builders by Samantha Meredith

As an online resource, Gender Equal Play has been downloaded more than 12,000 times and has generated considerable interest within the sector.  Gender Equal Play received positive national media coverage, including BBC Radio Scotland, and public support from OFSTED.  

The resource complements the Scottish Government’s initiative to increase gender equality in the ELC workforce and is embedded in its wider equality agenda.  For example, the resource featured in the Scottish Government’s Budget Statement for 2020/21 (Equality and Fairer Scotland):

“Research, including studies from Scotland, recognise the negative impacts that gender stereotyping can have on children, and the importance of gender-equal play.  The Scottish Government guidance on the National Standard signpost’s readers to the Care Inspectorate and Zero Tolerance resource to promote gender-equal play in ELC.  By promoting play in ELC, which is gender equal, there will be lasting positive impacts on equality between different sexes.”
  
Gender Equal Play was also referenced recently by the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science at the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee: 

“Various reports and resources have been made available to the practitioners.  For example, “Gender equal play in early learning and childcare” is a new resource that the Care Inspectorate, working with Zero Tolerance, has put together for the early years.  Gender equality has been put much higher up the agenda in early years and primary education: the officers have a key role to play in that.”  

Due to the impact of the resource and the range of organisations actively promoting gender equality in ELC, a Gender Equal Play Project has been formed.  Other project members include:

• Education Scotland – has established an Improving Gender Balance and Equalities unit and working to increase the proportion of girls studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects.
• NHS Glasgow – runs the Gender Friendly Nurseries Project.
• Zero Tolerance – undertaking research and improvement work with ELC services.
• National Day Nurseries Association - provides training and resources on gender equality.

There are flyers for the resource available on request.

If you would like further information on the project, please contact Henry Mathias, Head of Professional Practice and Standards.

The Gender Friendly Nursery is a programme of staff training and resources aimed at supporting ELC establishments to reduce gender stereotypes and promote gender equality. They do this by:

• Recognising and celebrating the work they do in this area;
• Learning about the impact of gender inequality on children’s lives;
• Identifying areas for further development and working towards Gender Friendly Nursery accreditation.

GFN was developed, piloted and evaluated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and is currently rolling out to ELC establishments across the Glasgow City area. More information at: www.nhsggc.org.uk/gbvresources 

Zero Tolerance works to raise awareness of gender stereotyping in the early years and how to encourage gender equality so that children are protected from the negative consequences of inequality and discrimination as they grow into adults. 

We know that in societies with more gender stereotyping there are higher levels of violence against women. To prevent this violence from happening in the first place we need to start early and question the social norms of what is seen as ‘normal’ or what is traditionally expected of boys and girls in our society.

Anyone Can Play is a blog series covering the basics of gender stereotyping, common myths, as well as blog written by parents their experiences encouraging gender equality with their children - read them here. 

You Can Be is a nursery-based project currently being piloted in Fife. Zero Tolerance is working with a selection of nurseries to develop a campaign to encourage nurseries to support gender equal practice. 

"The Default Setting" research is based on a survey of over 1,300 parents and caregivers on their thoughts on gender stereotyping and children's early years. Read more here.  

Other resources

• You Can Be Video - a short animation explaining the harms of gender stereotyping
• You Can Be Storytelling time - series of short stories for children
• Top 10 FAQs on Gender Equality in the Early Years - exploring some myths and misconceptions about gender
• Talking Gender in the Early Years - conversation starters 
• Feminist Parenting - series of blogs
• Bank of Stereotype-Free Play Ideas and Resources for Parents and Practitioners - Wakelet 
• Posters, colouring sheets, tips for parents and carers and a few videos and podcasts  - downloadable files in Dropbox 
• You can find updates on You Can Be Campaign on our website here.

Zero Tolerance is the secretariat of the Gender Equal Play Project Group which aims to:

• Enable partnership working
• Develop evidence of impact of what works & has benefit for children
• Inform policy making on gender in the early years based on these partnerships and evidence base

 If you would like more information about this, please get in touch with jo.zawadzka@zerotolerance.org.uk

Improving Gender Balance and Equalities team at Education Scotland

Education Scotland's team of Improving Gender Balance and Equalities (IGBE) officers are working with early learning and childcare settings, primary schools and secondary schools to explore and assess interventions to address gender imbalances in participation, curricular preferences and learner pathways at every stage (3 - 18 years). 

The approach is a whole-establishment one, tackling the root causes of gender imbalances, including addressing gender stereotyping and unconscious bias, in a sustained and embedded way.

The team are working regionally and are keen to make links locally. View this flyer and get in touch using the contact details provided if you would like to know more about the programme. 

Gender Equal Play: breaking down stereotypes

This CALA e-learning module is designed to support parents and practitioners understanding of how to support gender equality through nonbiased practice with young children.