Gender Neutral Kindergarten in Sweden

[LaneyDoll]

Originally Posted by JAGG

I think by the time they start school they are between ages 4-6. What they have experienced at home is already ingrained. Not to mention the fact they return home daily. I like the idea of not pressuring a child into a gender role so to speak. It gives them more freedom to choose what they truely prefer. But I don't think it will have too much of an impact. I'd be interested to see the outcome. Just my humble opinion.

I agree 100% with you, especially the part I underlined. Behavior is learned at home, with the first people who teach it. Whether it is intentionally taught or taught from neglect, it is learned and the early ages are the times when the mind is most able to saturate information.

Now, one thing that I am hopeful about-if parents are sending their children to this school, then surely, they are teaching the proper values at home to support the lessons learned at the school.

I would have gladly sent my children to this school had an option like this been available during those years in their lives-or in my area for that matter. I think they all would have fit in wonderfully. But there again, they were taught, at home, to accept and embrace the differences of others.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by LaneyDoll

I agree 100% with you, especially the part I underlined. Behavior is learned at home, with the first people who teach it. Whether it is intentionally taught or taught from neglect, it is learned and the early ages are the times when the mind is most able to saturate information.

Now, one thing that I am hopeful about-if parents are sending their children to this school, then surely, they are teaching the proper values at home to support the lessons learned at the school.

I would have gladly sent my children to this school had an option like this been available during those years in their lives-or in my area for that matter. I think they all would have fit in wonderfully. But there again, they were taught, at home, to accept and embrace the differences of others.

Sweden is extremely progressive. This is the country that allows a massive amount of time for post-partum mothers to remain home from work with their newborns...fathers as well. I believe in some sectors it is as much as 16 months. The gender equity is extremely balanced and fair. Children are valued and parenting (especially during the formative years) is regarded as a blessing - even to the extent of spanking being prohibited by the law. Social democracy prevails and children not only have rights but are advocated for by a highly regarded child welfare system. Nonviolence is practiced both inside the home and in society at large and is modeled by fathers who participate actively in parenting and typically don't model aggressive values. Compared to how individualistic and selfish Americans can be, Sweds demonstrate how working together benefits not only the individual but the populous as a whole...from the children up.

[kannon]

Originally Posted by LaneyDoll

Now, one thing that I am hopeful about-if parents are sending their children to this school, then surely, they are teaching the proper values at home to support the lessons learned at the school.

Thank you for expressing this. My sentiments exactly.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by JAGG

I think by the time they start school they are between ages 4-6. What they have experienced at home is already ingrained. Not to mention the fact they return home daily. I like the idea of not pressuring a child into a gender role so to speak. It gives them more freedom to choose what they truely prefer. But I don't think it will have too much of an impact. I'd be interested to see the outcome. Just my humble opinion.

Not to mention the playground, TV, and video games.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Chazz

Not to mention the playground, TV, and video games.

What if you removed the TV and video games...

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

What if you removed the TV and video games...

....and replaced them with what? Tonka toys and footballs for girls, dolls, crinoline and lace for boys.

Shifting around gender specific toys, clothing, play activities, pronouns, etc. doesn't resolve the false duality of gender constructs.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Chazz

....and replaced them with what? Tonka toys and footballs for girls, dolls, crinoline and lace for boys.

Shifting around gender specific toys, clothing, play activities, pronouns, etc. doesn't resolve the false duality of gender constructs.

Perhaps the focus needs to shift more towards attachment parenting and/or a model reflective of Waldorf philosophies on education/pedagogy.

[ScandalAndy]

Originally Posted by Chazz

....and replaced them with what? Tonka toys and footballs for girls, dolls, crinoline and lace for boys.

Shifting around gender specific toys, clothing, play activities, pronouns, etc. doesn't resolve the false duality of gender constructs.

Please explain false duality of gender constructs. I think we may be getting at the same thing here, but I don't want to assume.

[LaneyDoll]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

What if you removed the TV and video games...

Then you would have my house. My kids have TV, video games etc but they rarely use them. Their Wii was the hit of the living room-for less than a month after they got it. Now, they might remember to use once a month, if that. They love to be outside. We were without cable for almost a year and the kids never complained or even mentioned it. I watch TV more than they do, I tend to sink into movies combined with household chores/hobbies when they are away.

We used to have a "family movie night" ritual that I let slide when the school year became so hectic. We would all pile up in the living room, share popcorn and M & Ms and watch either a new family movie or an old fave. In typing that, I decided that I am going to revive that tradition---tonight. Thanks Novelafemme for "reminding" me of something I enjoyed.

[lisa93]

I think it's a great idea.