Childhood gender development- how can we support it?

Question

I'm currently doing a childhood tafe course, one of questions I need to answer is how childcare workers can help support gender development in children up to 12 years of age.

Answer 1

let the child be natural, be supportive and understanding. listen to the child, the words, actions and attitudes will guide you in helping them develope. remember that each child is different, and what works for one child will not work for every child...in otherwords each child has different needs and wants.  it is good to know the general rules on dealing with  children but remember to let the child be themselves/

Answer 2

it is necessary to devolpe these things in a child from childhood.

Answer 3

I've learned from experience that it is important for children to explore the assigned gender roles that society has placed upon them.  For instance, a girl might love to build and use blocks, but society has placed an internal conflict within her; it says that she should be more of a mother figure (and thus she should play with dolls).  She might occassionally play with dolls, but feel more attraction to play with blocks.  Try facilitating both by encouraging her to play with both (of course, if she wants to play primarily in block or in house, that's okay too).  Try placing block and house area near each other, she can bounce in between the two areas, if she feels so inclined.

Boys also feel social pressure when it comes to gender roles.  A few years ago a boy I took care of loved to play in house and take care of the dolls, the boys in the classroom, while they didn't pick on him, would occassionally ask me why he played with dolls, when only girls took cared of babies.  I reminded them that their fathers took care of them when they were babies (I wouldn't recommend this if the children have no contact with the father, or if the father isn't a good influence on them, but in this case it worked out), so it was all right that their friend played with dolls.  I told them that's how most little boys grow up to be good fathers.  The little boy's father was also very understanding, and that helped quite a bit.  One time, he saw his little boy dressing up in traditional girl's clothes.  He just laughed and said the boy was "secure in his masculinity".  Teachers should feel free to encourage this type of gender reversal, even if the parents are against it (and that does occassionally happen).  If a boy wants to play in house are and dress, up don't ask him to take off the dress up clothes, don't say anything possitive or negative about, just let him be.  IF the parents ask if he played in house area, be truthful, but if it'll cause problems for the boy at home, don't mention he dressed up.  Instead, mentioned the other things he did in house, such as playing restuarant, or playing daddy.  This usually diffuses the situation a bit, and makes it more acceptable for the parent.

By the way, gender reversal will help the child to understand the other s*x in a way that will make them more simpathetic in adulthood.