Hi Fintina,
Thanks for sharing your experience of this from an infant perspective. I’m sure you are also likely to see the gender stereotyping when it comes to the type of toys children wish to play with, or the roles taken on at Aistear stations. Aistear is excellent (as you have pointed out) for challenging these stereotypes and getting everyone to take on different roles. I can even see it with my own nieces and nephews – they are often reluctant to start playing with ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ toys but absolutely love it once they begin. Challenging these at any chance we get is so important. As you said, children are coming to school with these pre-conceived thoughts on gender. In many cases, increasing awareness with parents is equally important.