Shaking the Habitual: Norm Critical Approaches to Gender in Early Childhood Education Settings. Erasmus Project

Project Title

Shaking the Habitual: Norm Critical Approaches to Gender in Early Childhood Education Settings.

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Gender equality / equal opportunities; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

The motivation and background of the project has been a need for more gender awareness and equality, along with a longing to expand horizons, sharing experience and creating new ways of working towards gender equality. The main objectives of the project has been to break down gender stereotypes and for everyone, staff, children and parents/caregivers to become more norm critical, in the hopes of creating a more equal society, free of discrimination and exclusion.
There has been four participants in the project:
Agnebäcken preschool, in Harryda, Sweden which has had a gender focus for several years. Gender has been a focus area for further education of preschool teachers in the municipality and the preschool recognizes the value of expanding the issue to include an international perspective;
Hjalli preschool in Iceland has a long experience of working with single gender groups, gender compensations projects, controlled mixed gender settings and gender equality and is a part of Hjallastefnan, an education company that runs both preschools and primary schools. From its inception Hjalli has maintained a strong gender equality discourse, developing distinct ways of working with gender, while looking to improve and continue to lead the way in gender equality in preschools in Iceland;
Progettinfanzia in Italy which has in the last few years made efforts to create awareness around gender issues in early childhood education. In Italy the discourse on gender equality has been rather weak, however Progettinfanzia is taking part in the debate on a local, regional and national perspective. The work done on the field has focused on adults’ awareness and self-reflection staff holding the capacity of the practitioners to read and de-construct gender stereotypes and biases;
Nikolaigården-Egalia, the first preschool in the world to be LGBT-certified (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender). Nikolaigården-Egalia has a lot of experience in the matter of gender and equality and wants to share and take part, to inspire and get inspired

Each participant has hosted two transnational meetings with a specific theme, providing information on that theme as well as a lecture. During the meetings participants has relayed information about previous work and discussed and planned future work. Brainstorming has been done and best practices has been shared. The project progression and success has been measured during the project with questionnaires as well as throughout the project through a focus group at each individual preschool.
The expected results of the project has been more aware and informed staff on issues of gender and equality, and work that is specifically aimed at dismantling stereotypes and being norm critical. Gender mainstreaming has also been an expected outcome, along with tools to help carry out consistent gender equality work. The children at the preschools are in the future expected to become more aware of gender norms and to question and defy them. Parents and caregivers are also expected to become more aware of gender norms and to support their children in stepping outside gender boundaries. Potential long term benefits, and one of the main goals of the project has been to change how gender is viewed in society and the impact it has on individuals, bringing about more freedom from gender constraints and more equality on a whole.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 73065 Eur

Project Coordinator

Agnebäckens förskola & Country: SE

Project Partners

• Hjallastefnan
• Associazione Progettinfanzia Bassa Reggiana
• Nicolaigarden-Egalia