Toys and Gender

Goals

Children get to know some of the things that make them unique, and can talk about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family ;
Children know that other children don’t always enjoy the same things, and are sensitive to this. They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Toys and Gender

Brief description of the issue

Toys are very often marketed either towards boys or girls. This contributes to exacerbating the differences between them and keeps them away from toys they might have liked to play with, but were discouraged from doing because they weren’t traditionally associated with their gender. Adults, as well as friends and other kids play a big role in influencing a child’s choices of toys.

The organization Let toys be toys put together a lesson plan for children aged 4-6 that explores similarities and differences between children, boys or girls, as well as personal interests and whether or not they are linked with gender.

Document

Toys and Gender - Lesson plan for primary schools
File size: 228 KB (application/pdf)

References

LET TOYS BE TOYS, n.d. Lesson plan for primary schools and early years, ages 4-6 years, accessible online at: http://lettoysbetoys.org.uk/lesson-plan-for-primary-schools-reception-year-1/