Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants
Issues and Recommendations in Teaching Young Gender Different Children
Department
Leadership and Learning
College
College of Education
Date Range
2013-2014
Disciplines
Education
Abstract
Because we live in a world organized in terms of male and female, it is difficult for children to safely explore non-conforming gender identities. As early as the age of 2, sometimes earlier, some children may disagree with their biological gender assignment. Gender non-conforming children may express behaviors that challenge traditional gender roles. These behaviors may be expressed by boys who are interested in feminine things, who have preferences which are typically considered feminine behaviors, gestures, clothing choices, friend preferences, etc. Girls who are gender non-conforming may express behaviors that are traditionally considered masculine with preference and interested I masculine play, behaviors, dress, etc. The role of the early childhood teacher is to help gender non-conforming children discover and become their truest selves, to offer safe places in which to explore their gender identity, and assurance that whatever they do and whoever they become will be respected and loved. This presentation provides 25 recommendations that the classroom teacher and parent may use in supporting gender variant children
Conference Name
Global Summit on Childhood
Conference Location
Vancouver, Canada
ScholarWorks Citation
Chlebo, Julie and Mack, Faite Dr., "Issues and Recommendations in Teaching Young Gender Different Children" (2014). Faculty Scholarly Dissemination Grants. 952.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/fsdg/952
