Young children are working out who they are, and gender is part of that. This gender identity training for early years practitioners explains the difference between sex and gender identity, how children’s understanding of gender develops, and how stereotypes can limit what children feel able to do. It gives your team calm, practical ways to support every child and to talk with families.
Why gender identity training matters
For most children, being a boy or a girl feels natural, and their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. For some children the match is less clear. At the same time, all young children are learning gender role behaviour, and cross-gender preferences and play are a normal part of development, whatever a child’s future gender identity. When a child’s interests differ from what others expect, they may face teasing, discrimination or bullying. Informed practitioners, parents and carers can help every child feel comfortable and good about themselves.
The lesson links to GOV.UK guidance on the Equality Act 2010, the law behind your setting’s duty not to discriminate, which includes sex and gender reassignment among its protected characteristics. It also links to Birth to 5 Matters guidance on inclusive practice and challenging stereotypes, and to the Fawcett Society’s commission on gender stereotypes in early childhood.
What’s in the course
- Sex and gender identityWhat each term means, and why they are not the same thing.
- How gender identity developsThe three stages most children go through as their sense of gender becomes stable.
- Gender roles and playHow children learn “what boys do” and “what girls do”, and why cross-gender play is normal.
- What parents and carers can doBooks, puzzles and toys that show diverse roles, and letting children make their own choices.
- How children learn about genderThe influence of television, toys and marketing, and the way adults talk about babies.
- How stereotypes have changedChanging expectations of boys and girls, and the harm when children are pushed to conform.
- Key points to rememberGender development as a normal process, and the support every child needs.
- Assessment10 questions. Pass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
What you’ll learn
- The difference between assigned sex, based on physical characteristics at birth, and gender identity, a person’s internal sense of who they are
- The three stages children typically go through: noticing physical differences between boys and girls, labelling themselves as a boy or a girl, then having a stable sense of their gender identity
- Why cross-gender preferences and play are a normal part of gender development and exploration
- How to offer books, puzzles and toys that show men and women in a wide range of roles, such as male nurses, female police officers and stay-at-home dads
- How television, toys and marketing shape children’s ideas about gender, and how adults describe newborn boys and girls differently
- Why stereotyped expectations limit children’s development and can lead to shame or to children hiding their talents
- Why children should be free to choose their friends and activities, without teasing or bullying
- How to share the course’s key messages with parents and audit your rooms for stereotypes
Who this course is for
- Practitioners and key persons who answer children’s questions and plan their play
- Room leaders and managers reviewing books, dressing-up, displays and resources
- Staff who lead on equality and inclusion in the setting
- Anyone who talks with parents and carers about their child’s play and interests
How it works
- OnlineStudy on any device and pick up where you left off.
- Interactive moduleShort slides and activities you work through at your own pace.
- 10-question assessmentPass mark 80%. Resit as many times as you need.
- CertificateIssued when you pass. NFAQ accredited.
Training your team
Children notice the small things adults say and the resources they put out, so a shared approach across the whole team makes the biggest difference. Choose the number of learners at checkout, with group rates from 3 learners, or get it as part of the Training Portal for £5 per learner per month. It pairs well with Equality and Diversity (Level 2) and Building Partnerships with Parents.
Frequently asked questions
How does gender identity develop in young children?
Usually in stages. Children first become aware of physical differences between boys and girls, then most can easily label themselves as a boy or a girl, and later most have a stable sense of their gender identity. Self-recognition develops over time, much as the body does.
Is it normal for a boy to play with dolls, or a girl to prefer trucks?
Yes. The course explains that cross-gender preferences and play are a normal part of gender development and exploration. They do not determine a child’s gender identity.
How can we involve parents and carers?
The lesson includes a parent and carer handout that explains the course’s key messages in plain language, including the stages children go through, why cross-gender play is normal, and what parents can do at home.
Are there resources to use in the setting?
Yes. There is an Inclusive Practice Prompts Card for language, play and children’s questions, and a Gender Stereotypes Room and Resource Audit with a one-week tally sheet for books, dressing-up, displays and adult language.
What happens if I don’t pass the assessment?
You can resit it as many times as you need until you pass. Your certificate is issued as soon as you reach the 80% pass mark.
Will this help at Ofsted?
Ofsted does not approve training providers. The certificate is evidence that training was completed and goes on your staff training record, and the course helps your team explain how they avoid stereotypes in practice.
