Abstract:

It is frequently stated that stereotypes and cultural values about gender roles are effective in children’s adoption of sexual identities, shaping of their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in accordance with their sexual identities and the construction of their gender roles. By creating learning environments where roles that will satisfy the needs of modern life developed independently from gender stereotypes, preschool teachers can help structuring perceptions of children on gender equality. In this context, it is considered that preschool education program should be enriched with educational materials and activities to improve a point of view related to gender equality in early childhood period. In this research, it is aimed to investigate the effects of educational activities and materials for gender equality on the gender stereotypes of children in preschool period. The research was conducted as an experimental field study with experimental and control groups. The study group consists of 84 children aged 5 in an independent kindergarten in İzmir. It was found that there was a significant difference between the posttest scores of the experimental and control groups in terms of tasks/jobs, professions, toys, games, hobbies and emotions after the implementation of the education program supporting gender equality

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