Question about childcare?

Question

how could you encourage children to avoid stereotyping within their drama and imainitive play?

Answer 1

Mostly by modeling.  If you act out the expected behavior and avoid stereotyping while doing the children will eventually model their behavior after yours.

Answer 2

modeling is a good idea, but you also need to remember that if a boy puts on a dress or wants to take care of the baby, don't stop them or make fun of them or allow others to make fun.  also if a girl wants to be the dad or go to work allow her to do so......the idea is to not interfere with the play unless someone is hurting someone else or making fun of someone

Answer 3

I agree with Bob.  I would also make sure that you do not become involved within how roles are assigned within the dramatic play. For example " No , those are only for the girls"

I feel that 2 benefits come from this type of play. 1) the children have ownership and accept/assign roles. 2) You can observe the children in a natural setting.  I would propose that the dramatic play would offer you the "pulse" of this stereotyping for you to get a "child centered" view of what is REALLY going on.  The knowledge you gain from the participants would help you facilitate towards acceptance through observation.  In my opinion, this example puts the cart before the horse.  However, if this is for school, I would say that by modeling (as Bob said) and by not making props,costumes etc specific to any s*x, race or body type etc.

Answer 4

Have images and photos around the room showing a range of non-stereotypes eg: A male nurse/female doctor, woman police officer, male childcarer etc...this way the children will see that it is 'normal' to find different people in differnet roles.

Have dressing up clothes and toys that allow girls and boys to access them-eg: non girly nurse outfits.

Play alongside them and encouraging correct vocab eg: police OFFICER, fire FIGHTER...

Do not make jokes if a boy is wearing a dress or pink, or a girl has a 'mans' hat on...by being the model and talking to children who do say something that is not really the attitude you want they will learn.

Read stories with the group that show different images, roles, cultures etc.

Don't just have pictures of stereotyping dress: eg: not all muslims wear hijabs, not allJapanese are geishas!!!!

Speak to parents: explain you are trying to combat stereotyping so if they can support from home it'll be great!