The incident that I have experienced is not really that serious but in my class the boys and girls have this idea in their head that boys can ONLY play with the superhero's and the girls can ONLY play with the dolls. They also will bring in stickers and if its ninja turtles the boys will not give them to the girls because they are girls. The girls do the same thing if they bring in princess stickers they don't give them to the boys. I have made sure, as the teacher, to have them share everything they bring in and making sure they realize that it doesn't matter what gender you are, you are allowed to like the ninja turtles if your a girl and your allowed to like princesses if your a boy.
This example diminishes the equity in the classroom because in their own simple minds they are discriminating against the genders in the classroom because of what they see on tv. They never see a boy playing with a doll on tv, and if they do, the boy is most likely being made fun of or questioned about why he is playing with the doll. It goes the same way for the girls playing with the boy toys. She is immediately thought of as a "tomboy" or she's gay because she likes things that boys like.
I have made sure that if they are playing something that they are letting everyone play regardless of what gender they are. I make sure they aren't saying anything mean to each other and I am always sending the message "gender doesn't matter, anyone can do anything they want to". I think the kids in my class have come to an agreement that everyone can play even if it confuses them sometimes why a girl wants to play dinosaurs or a boy wants to play house. I have made my classroom judgment free and they all are now playing and sharing nicely.
It appears that you were sensitive in your response following your observations of the children's perceptions of gender Jamie. There are so many outside influences coming at children; it sounds like you are comitted to ensuring your classroom is safe haven for all children. They will learn so much with you. ~Lisa
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you do this in your classroom. I think that I am kind of torn in regards to what I would do. I would never stop a child for playing with a toy that is geared towards another sex. As an educator I would promote sharing and not have specific gender toys. However has a parent I do not think that I would encourage my son playing with a Barbie. At least not how the girls do.
Sherry