Children need a place where they can feel safe to learn and discover who they are, what they like or do not like, what they love, and what they are good at… It is our job to create that space for children, free from judgement and full of love.
– Samuel Broaden, “Gender Expression in Early Childhood: How to Support All Children in our Classrooms“

In a recent Exchange magazine article, “Pride in Gender Exploration from a Queer Educator,” Kate Selden shared their journey of fostering an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates gender exploration. The story begins with a playful greeting from students, “Hello Mister Kate,” which unexpectedly provided a perfect moment to discuss gender identity. Seldon explained to their 3- and 4-year-old students that some people are not just boys or girls but might identify as non-binary.

“’Raise your hand if you are a girl. And raise your hand if you are a boy. Now raise your hand if you’re not a boy and not a girl, but instead are both and neither at the same time.’ I raise my hand and the 3- and 4-year-old preschool students stare back at me in confusion. ‘Are you a girl or a boy?’ one student asks, and I say, ‘I am not a boy or a girl, I am something called non-binary. Some days I feel like a boy, some days I feel like a girl, and other days I do not feel like either.’

When a 4-year-old confessed, “Some days I do not feel like a girl, but I do not feel like a boy either.” Seldon responded with love and acceptance, saying, “No matter what gender you feel like, you are you, and you are loved.”

Seldon continues, “Denying a child the right to express their gender identity damages not only the relationship between the child and that adult, but it damages the child’s own sense of self… How can I teach my students to be their authentic selves if I am not allowed to be my authentic self in the classroom?”