A case study of gendered play in preschools: how early childhood educators’ perceptions of gender influence children's play

Free play, free choices? – Influence and construction of gender in preschools in different local contexts

“…Some studies also report girls and boys in some situations playing together (e.g. Chapman, 2016), and sometimes challenging gender-stereotyped roles (Wohlwend, 2011). Teacher attitudes to and perceptions of gender are factors that influence the children's choices (Chapman, 2016).…”

“…Chapman, 2016), and sometimes challenging gender-stereotyped roles (Wohlwend, 2011). Teacher attitudes to and perceptions of gender are factors that influence the children's choices (Chapman, 2016). According to MacNaughton (2006), children simply play with what they find pleasurable, which is what they understand as "normal" and attempt to get things right in the time and culture in which they live.…”

“…However, we should note that only the teachers at Horse expressed such a clearly articulated position of gender-neutral play settings and materials (cf. Chapman, 2016).…”

“…What these explanations have in common is something that falls outside the remit of educational work at preschool, and is instead a matter for the home or even seen to be genetically programmed into the children (cf. Chapman, 2016). There seems to be a weak distinction between the responsibility and goals of preschool education versus those of the home (Bernstein, 2000).…”

“…There were also variations in the children's choices during free play (cf. Chapman, 2016), as shown in the excerpt below. Earlier the same day at Impala there had been an organised dance activity for the whole group in the great hall, led by teachers.…”