In the Middle-Grand Salle, about fifteen children from 12 months to three years old, happily gravitate around the different play areas. The dinette, in the center of the room, is surrounded by the motor skills and the reading corner, an arrangement intended to facilitate the passage from one activity to another. Small wooden strollers and dolls are distributed here and there.
“”All toys are offered to all children“, explains to AFP Vanessa Saint-Pierre, educator of young children, who works in this establishment of the Crescendo association (SOS Group). Like all staff, she followed a day of training in girls-garde equality and the fight against gender stereotypes.
Since then, the team has enriched the library of new books, which convey different messages, such as “my carriage”, whose horned pages testify to the success with the all. Throughout the story, a little girl transforms her coach into an all-terrain vehicle, thanks to her handy talents. “”Children will identify, it’s good to show them that it exists, that it is possible“, Underlines Vanessa Saint-Pierre.
Change of vocabulary
On the parents’ side, Melynda Matoura, a 34 -year -old lawyer, sees this educational project with a good eye. She is delighted in particular that her three -year -old daughter “have access to lots of different toys“. Last year, however, some did not appreciate their son turning to games like dinette or stroller, which they considered to be reserved for girls.
“”Since the training, we refocus our transmissions to parents on what activity brings to the child, which avoids the debate“, Indicates to AFP Isabelle Boutin, director of the establishment.”For example, the stroller is to pull, climb, work your balance “.
Another change is greater attention to the way of contacting children, especially to compliment them. “”Before, we would have accentuated more on girls’ outfits“, Consumes the director. Now she tries to” do not lock up “the little ones” in the pretty “and to remain” more factual “by describing everyone’s clothes:” Oh a unicorn on the Kadija t-shirt! Oh a dinosaur on the Gabriel t-shirt! “
From birth, clothes and toys differ according to the baby’s sex. And adults interact differently with little boys and girls.
Created by a decree in 2021, the national charter for the reception of the young child asks early childhood professionals to pay particular attention to the fight against sexist stereotypes.
“”More and more actors take hold of the subject“, Indicates to AFP Julie Marty Pichon, co -president of the National Federation of Young Children Educators (Fneje).”There are a lot of continuous training and the theme is more often integrated into initial training“.
“More egalitarian” company
At Crescendo, the staff of the sixties in the network were trained about it. “Gender stereotypes are insidious but as soon as professionals realize this allows you to move forward,” observes with AFP Catherine Lefèvre, educational referent of the association.
What can be the impact of a project?
“”Working on a more egalitarian education in a crèche, ultimately, can make society more egalitarian“, estimates Christine Morin-Messabel, professor of social psychology, at the Lumière-Lyon university. But provided that that”continues throughout the schooling“.
“”If we want to modify post-bac orientations, we must think from early childhood to the types of toys that are offered to toddlers so as not to lock them up in gender contexts“, Where girls take care of others and boys build,” she adds.
The Minister of Education Elisabeth Borne would in particular encourage girls to turn to sectors and scientific trades, where they are underrepresented. For this, it has just announced a plan with different measures.