From the hidden curriculum to gender conscious education

Abstract

Margarete Blank-Mathieu’s book is aimed at raising the gender awareness among kindergarten teachers. The author argues against the gender neutral pedagogy generally practised in kindergarten, suggesting that this very approach impedes a differentiated understanding of children and their moulding, which is, Blank-Mathieu contends, gendered from an early age. Taking the existence of gender specific differences as a point of departure, the author pleads instead that girls and boys should be encouraged to develop their gender roles individually. Such an approach would enable children to handle these roles more flexibly. By defining some new educational aims the book provides insights into future possibilities of putting gender awareness into kindergarten practice.