The purpose of this study is to investigate how gender manifests itself in Norwegian kindergarten, as observed by students during three weeks' work experience. The empirical basis was collated from 40 accounts of work experience from 20 kindergartens. Student kindergarten teachers' observations of how gender is expressed in kindergarten forms the background of the analysis. The results show that staff contribute to upholding traditional gender stereotypes in kindergarten. Girls and boys are treated differently; girls and boys challenge prevailing gender structures while kindergarten staff simultaneously conform to gender stereotypes. ARTICLE HISTORY

This article discusses how 2-year olds cope with various everyday activities as observed by kindergarten staff from a gender perspective. Everyday activities are part of the daily pedagogical life in a kindergarten and are linked to situations such as meals, dressing and undressing, grooming and potty/toilet training. Data were collected through structured observation of 535 boys and 509 girls. The children, aged between 30 and 33 months, were observed over a 3-month period. The observation guideline material ''Alle Med'' (''Everyone Included'') was used to assess how children master everyday activities. The result reveals gender differences favouring the girls. In the present article, this result will be analysed against a backdrop of gender-related theory.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract