Gender IdentityChildren begin to form concepts of gender around the age of 2. By the age of 3, children know whether they are a boy or a girl. It is only between the ages of 3 and 5 that children begin to understand what it means to be a man or a woman. Once they are aware of their gender, children begin to develop stereotypes that they apply to themselves and others. They do this in an effort to understand and make sense of their own identity. The preschool years are a crucial time to explore and reinforce gender stereotypes in positive ways with children. Between the ages of 5 and 7, stereotypes are clearly defined in children's brains. Negative stereotypes can limit a child's potential growth and development. They will impact self-esteem and ultimately academic performance. Long-term effects are most apparent during adolescence. (Aina, Cameron 2011) Developing a Positive Gender Identity The famous developmental psychologist Jean Piaget described children as active learners who use interactions with their environment to construct and understand the world around them. As with everything else, children in early childhood learn through play. Once they can refer to themselves as a boy or a girl, they begin to show a preference for gender-specific activities and materials. According to Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, adults promote this learning by setting an example, helping to complete difficult tasks, and transmitting cultural meanings to objects and events. All of these elements constitute components of gender development. Denying the existence of stereotypical perceptions only succeeds in perpetuating and manifesting a gender-based polarization of children's behavior. To help children become more open-minded, we need to...... middle of paper...... critically evaluate gender bias. But, rather than eliminating all books that produce gender bias, it is possible to guide children in discussions to recognize stereotypes and increase independent critical thinking and perceptions of gender. Parental perceptionIn a study conducted among mothers and fathers of children aged 3 to 5 years. , children's perceptions of parental approval did not match the attitudes parents described. Most parents demonstrated non-stereotypical attitudes in parent questionnaires regarding their reactions to their children's mixed play. The children, however, indicated that their parents would not approve of the gender choices. This study revealed a significant gap between the attitudes parents publicly profess and the subtle messages their children perceive from them. (Aina, Cameron, 15)