Gender Equity in the Early Yearscritically evaluates the extent to which current early years policies, provision and practice promote and foster gender equity. It explores the rationale for the drive to employ more men in the early years field and examines the link made between ‘underachievement’ in boys and the ‘feminine’ nature of early years provision. It also looks at the underpinning philosophy and impact of the Foundation stage in early years provision. Taking into consideration recent research, this book considers the validity of the ‘scientific’ conclusions being drawn about the biological basis for gender differences. Children’s perceptions of ‘masculinities’ and ‘femininities’ are also under scrutiny as the author analyses their imaginative role play and storytelling in early years settings. The author also looks at the principles behind the pre-school provision in Reggio Emilia and focuses on the extent to which this approach fosters gender equity. This groundbreaking book is essential reading for professionals working with young children, students on early childhood education and early childhood studies courses and heads and deputies in nurseries and primary and nursery schools.

A thought-provoking text which will make practitioners examine their children's behaviour and play in a fresh light'- Christine Marsh, Manchester Metropolitan University 'A major contribution to the international literature on gender in Early Childhood .... Glenda MacNaughton has done a terrific job in making difficult theory accessible for teachers and student teachers. Her consistent use of plentiful examples and explorations of how different theories held by teachers might impact on their practice will be tremendously useful to teachers and teacher educators ' - Debbie Epstein, Centre for Research and Education on Gender, Institute of Education, London `Invaluable for early chil

Our Watch partnered with Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) to create Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.The framework draws upon the latest international evidence and consultations with over 400 stakeholders across Australia to explore what drives violence against women and what works to prevent it. It demonstrates that, while violence against women has no single cause, it is strongly associated with particular dimensions of gender inequality, in both public life and personal relationships. It asserts that an Australia where women and their children live free from violence is an achievable long-term goal, but one that can only be realised by addressing the drivers of this violence, which are deeply entrenched in our social and cultural norms structures and practices, across our communities and in our daily lives.Change the story details the key elements required to create a strategic, collaborative and consistent national approach to preventing violence against women. The framework:* outlines 10 essential and supporting actions to prevent violence against women by addressing its gendered drivers and reinforcing factors* provides evidence-based guidance to government, the private sector, civil society and communities on how to lead, coordinate, resource and support effective prevention effort across Australia* aims to inform and support the development of policy and legislation, prevention programs, strategies and initiatives of all kinds, and advocacy.The framework demonstrates how, by working together, governments, organisations, communities and individuals can create a safer Australia built upon respect and equality.It offers a path towards this ultimate goal of social transformation, providing the necessary evidence, rationale and guidance to drive and support a significant and sustained nation-wide effort to prevent violence against women and their children.

In this volume, gender and schooling in the early years addresses a broad range of issues including, but not limited, to gender equity in education. We explore, for example, the complex world of play in Fromberg's chapter and are reminded that for young children, play involves issues of power and hierarchy in ways that parallel the role of gender in society. Miletta's study of preschool children in northern Italy, at Reggio Emilia, reveals a story of classroom interactions where gender differences are not part of the equation for the youngsters. Her chapter begs the question, "How does this environment empower all children, regardless of gender?" Two chapters provide a lens to the Montessori setting for young children. Wilgus studies the gendered patterns of young women teaching at a Montessori school, while Irby, Rodriguez, and Lara-Alecio explore the intersections of culture and gender at a bilingual Montessori public school. Further examining the preschool years, Plaster and Schiller address the current brain research and examine the ways in which the adults that staff early child care programs, and the environments that they offer, play an important role in the development of our children.

This unique book brings together international scholars from around the globe to examine how different feminist theories are being used in early childhood research, policy and pedagogy. The array of feminist discourses captured by the authors offer contextualised possibilities for disrupting dominant patriarchal beliefs and producing change. The authors address and challenge how early childhood experiences, institutions and practices produce gendered effects across and within diverse contexts and demonstrate how feminism(s) in action can be used to reconceptualise research methods, government policy, children’s learning, teaching practice and educational resources. In this way, the book contributes to creating new knowledge connections and community alliances in the global effort to end gender-based inequalities across local and global communities.

Understanding Gender and Early Childhood is a comprehensive and accessible introduction into the main issues around gender and what these mean for our youngest children. Drawing on key theories and research, and illustrating each topic with case studies, reflective questions and a summary of key points, students are encouraged to question why it is more relevant than ever to consider gender issues and to reflect critically on their own practice and on the practice of others. The three parts examine gender in relation to the children, the workforce and wider society, concluding with inclusive suggestions for the future of the early years classroom. Topics covered include: how gender impacts on children’s play, learning and achievement, the gender imbalance in the early years workforce and the impact of this on children, the gendered ways in which people engage with children, gender issues in children’s health. This book is an essential read for those studying on Early Years and Early Childhood courses, along with practitioners and anyone else who wants to develop their understanding of the most pressing issues relating to gender and early childhood practice.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-552/ A report commissioned by the Finnish presidency in the Nordic Council of Ministers, written by Nea Alasaari and Sara Sundell, maps the legislation and national curriculums steering early childhood education and care (ECEC), studies made related to gender equality and ECEC during 2010–2021 and practises and tools to promote gender equality in preschools in the Nordic region.