Gender Equal or Gender Neutral?



Associated Press Photo By Scanpix Sweden, Fredrik Sandberg

  I came across this interesting article about a preschool in Stockholm that seems to strive, not just for gender equality, but for gender neutrality in some ways. I found the article after reading about a family who didn't reveal their child's sex until the age of five.

Some things make perfect sense to me: putting Legos and Blocks in or near the housekeeping area, providing books about adoption and all kinds of families, and downplaying the superhero/princess pitfalls. But I find it a bit curious that the school doesn't use gender words like, "he" and "she" and they've even made up a word, "hen," when referring to a person that has not yet been identified as male or female.  

• What do you guys think of this? 
• Where do you draw the gender line?  
• What do you do to promote gender equality in your programs?

What is your favorite version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?

My brother called me today and asked for a recommendation on the best version of The Three Bears for my niece (who is 3 1/2 going on 7). The first version that came to mind was by Jan Brett but I know that there are so many others!

What are your favortie versions of this story? Comment on the blog or tweet me at @LiteracyCounts.

System Overload

Hello Readers, Bloggers, Educators, Parents, and Literature Lovers! I have been M.I.A. for a while I know. It's been a bit challenging to find time to write lately. You may remember that I had to take a break a while back. Life is still throwing some curve balls my way. Because of my current work situation, I'm doing the work of two people (but getting paid for the work of one, LOL. But isn't that how it always is?). Hopefully someone will be hired soon and I can have my free time back. But right now, my life is filled with the JOY of helping to take care of my niece and nephew and the BURDEN of extra work. But please don't take that in a negative way. In this world, I am grateful to be gainfully employed. And even though there is more work on my plate, I work at a place that I want to see THRIVE so I'm putting in all of the extra energy that I have.

I learned quickly how to live a new normal, and when I can return to that normal, I will be back to blog. Every now and then, I will pop in to write a quick post. But if there are any educators or parents who would be interested in doing a guest post, email me at earlyliteracycounts at gmail dot com.