Effect of gender-neutral activities on preschool children’s gender stereotypes

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gender-neutral activities on gender stereotypes among preschool children aged 48–60 months old. Also, the gender perceptions of parents were examined to reveal associations between parents' gender perceptions and their children's gender stereotypes. The study sample consisted of 53 children and 102 parents from Karaman, Türkiye. The experimental group was comprised of 27 children, while the control group consisted of 26 children. To collect data, the Preschool Occupation, Activity, and Trait Attitude Measure (POAT-AM) as well as a Gender Perception Scale were used. For the study design, a static group pre-test/post-test was employed. It was indicated in the study findings that preschool children did have gender stereotypes. Moreover, gender-neutral activities were effective in addressing gender stereotypes among young children.