After conducting the literature review, I learned that the concepts of gender form early, usually between ages 3 and 7 in most children. This is a crucial time, as it informs how young children see gender and the differences between male and female-identifying individuals. Rigid understandings of gender norms and identities and stereotypes seriously limit young children’s freedom to develop to their full potential according to their unique and valuable talents and interests, irrespective of their sex. Therefore, I narrowed my target audience down to 3-6 years old.
Gender norms and stereotypes are not limited to the classroom. They invade young children’s lives in many ways: through media, advertisements, toys and learning materials. They are passed on to them by their parents, their peers or from what they see in their communities and through social norms. With enrolment in preschools rising in every region of the world, and given the rapid brain development of children in the early years, early childhood education should be given due considerations in the matter.
The goal of the Practical Review was to study already existing projects about gender equality education methods ; my practical review should be able to answer the following questions:
1. What is out already out there?
2. What is its concept?
3. How it works? & How does it related to gender equality education?
1. What is out already out there?
2. What is its concept?
3. How it works? & How does it related to gender equality education?
The educational method can be categorised into four fields: Art exhibition (Installation art / Painting / Photography) ; Game; Book; Social media( Catoon / Video ect.)
Art Exhibition
LAURA KENNEDY / WGLT
A Google search inspired this poster, which is a part of the show currently on view at the Merwin Gallery.
The walls of Illinois Wesleyan University's Merwin Gallery are covered with posters that unflinchingly convey an imbalance in the world. "Women's Rights Are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence and Discrimination" showcases graphic design that aims to shed light on gender inequality and stereotypes and violence against women and girls, while promoting female empowerment and full participation in society.
Gender equality theme exhibition in Lycée de Port Vila School, French
While working on gender equality in 3th (year 9), the English teachers and their classes have talked about the inequalities that remain true in today’s world, but also the great things that some women have been able to accomplish. These artworks illustrate children’s interpretations of the inequality between men and women, boys and girls that they see in their everyday lives and express their thought.
Book
HOW DO GENDER STEREOTYPES PLAY OUT?
Many children’s books and television programs still portray a world in which males fill traditionally masculine roles such as fire officers or postal officers, whilst females are often limited to either princesses or mothers. Increasingly, toys and games are marketed as being ‘for’ one gender or the other – dolls and ovens are for girls and trucks and construction toys are for boys
Many children’s books and television programs still portray a world in which males fill traditionally masculine roles such as fire officers or postal officers, whilst females are often limited to either princesses or mothers. Increasingly, toys and games are marketed as being ‘for’ one gender or the other – dolls and ovens are for girls and trucks and construction toys are for boys
There are many television shows, books, and toys aimed at boys that limit the male identity to being about action, physical strength, and coming out on top whatever the cost
. Boys in fiction are much less likely to display empathy or nurturing skills – abilities that are generally assigned to female characters. Female characters are often portrayed as ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty’ and in search of a prince, reinforcing ideas that a female’s
worth lies in her appearance and need to be in a relationship with a man. Female characters are also less likely to be protagonists or leaders in stories.
. Boys in fiction are much less likely to display empathy or nurturing skills – abilities that are generally assigned to female characters. Female characters are often portrayed as ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty’ and in search of a prince, reinforcing ideas that a female’s
worth lies in her appearance and need to be in a relationship with a man. Female characters are also less likely to be protagonists or leaders in stories.
Many influences on children imply that there are ‘typical’ ways of being a boy or girl, thereby minimizing awareness of the wide variety of gender expressions that exist within, as well as between, the sexes.
HOW DO Picture Book PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AND CHALLENGING GENDER STEREOTYPES?
Picture books can be used to encourage discussions, broader thinking, and directly challenge harmful gender stereotypes. This picture booklist aims to provide parents, teachers and carers with a range of stories which
provide broader ideas about who girls, boys, women, men, and people who identify as diverse genders can be, what they can be interested in and achieve. It is important to challenge gender stereotypes to ensure children’s aspirations are not limited by traditional ideas about what girls and boys and women and men can do.
provide broader ideas about who girls, boys, women, men, and people who identify as diverse genders can be, what they can be interested in and achieve. It is important to challenge gender stereotypes to ensure children’s aspirations are not limited by traditional ideas about what girls and boys and women and men can do.
From adorably illustrated board books for babies to more advanced, in-depth stories that are based on real women who've changed the world, these children's books aim to help teach kids about gender equality.
Game
Image: Sham Hinchey and Marzia Messina
Brooklyn-based photographers Sham Hinchey and Marzia Messina want to bring that conversation back into homes with their “Dear Daughters” project. And they wanted to encourage fathers to have open conversations with their daughters about feminism, because awareness always comes through empathy, using dialogue is a starting point toward working together to evolve into an equal and just society. They wanted to hear men talk about feminism, [their] daughters were a vehicle and an inspiring place to start this conversation.”
Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and public education partners in Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia have joined forces to develop a practical approach to gender-responsive pedagogy for early childhood education (GRP4ECE). The GRP4ECE toolkit empowers preschool teachers and school leaders to challenge gender stereotypes where they can do the most harm, but where they can also be challenged most effectively: the classroom. An environment free of stereotypes lays a firm foundation for young children to grow up freely exploring and developing their unique interests and talents.
Personal Thought
In practical research, an increasing number of organizations tend to use games to express gender equality awareness. By playing a game, kids may be able to understand a new concept or idea, take on a different perspective, or experiment with different options or variables. Additionally, kids can develop a variety of connections with the content and can form positive memories of learning.
Gender equality education is not limited to the classroom, it can happen in the workshop or at home. However, it’s important to introduce kids to the concept of gender inequality in a way that feels approachable. Rather than making kids feel blame or shame about instances of inequality, it’s crucial to phrase the discussion as a constructive problem that we all have an opportunity to help change. For example, Dr. Pani Farvid at The Conversation says it’s important to approach each kid “as a sophisticated individual who is capable of embodying and desiring several changing gendered identities.” By giving kids the agency to act however they wish, regardless of gender, kids empower them to break free of stereotypes and their limitations.