The Boys & Girls section on our website has been the subject of an ongoing conversation. On our site we don’t gender our ranges. No boys & girls section just a kids section for all!!

Why are gender neutral toys and also clothing important?

The subject gender neutral seems to induce some emotions at parents.

However, as parents and family members we have a huge influence on children, based on what we buy and how we cloth them.  Child specialists are highlighting the importance of gender neutral toys and clothes, because of the negative impact of exclusively marketed products to one or another gender.

Examples why gender neutral is important:

1. Kids should have the choice to decide what they think is fun. Toys based on a gender put specific limits on play. Furthermore play is important even crucial to how the little ones learn about our world. In our education it’s approved that they need access to a variety of toys and play experience. Accordingly if they don’t have access, they might never discover the knowledge of aerospace, art, cooking, science, finance, dance or crafting.
2. Children’s development needs to be supported. A wide range of play is necessary to develop different skills. Action-, construction- and technology-focused toys foster problem-solving and lead the children to be active. Additionally role-play-toys lead to practice social skills. Art and crafting toys develop the motor skills and perseverance of children.
3. We are surrounded by influencing detrimental marketing. To direct consumers based on gender means children are directed to a specific range of toys to which they respond accordingly. Children search for pattern and for rules in everyday life; they quickly understand gender rules like this is for girls and that for boys. Undoubtedly those stiff boundaries bring the little ones away from their real preferences and away from their interest. The worst thing is that it gives a basis for bullying! As a boy I shouldn’t be afraid to say that my favorite colour is purple, pink or red. Neither as a girl to play with cars or to wear blue. We want to raise our children self-confident!

Shouldn’t children have the chance to develop equally? If we choose to pick only toys that are predominantly marketed to boys and girls, both genders miss out on their way.

Examples of toys and their skill-training

Stacking blocks/ Building blocks: Gross and fine motor skills are at work here. It also helps kids learn about patterns, gravity, science, as well as fostering creativity developing and refining their skills and senses.

Tracker: A Tracker is a quintessential Montessori material when the little one can stand independently. It encourages them to pick up the car or ball, put it back in the top of the tracker and watch its way to the bottom. That is work for their balance and core strength. Tracking the car from left to right also prepares for future success when it comes to learning to read.

Rag dolls/cuddle toys: Encourage your children a sense of responsibility. To be caring, loving and compassionate, just like the person you want them to be.

Role-play toys: Lead to practice and develop communication, language and social skills. It allows children to act out, explore and experiment.

Dresses: Keep old clothes in a basket with lots of hats or some costumes and let the little ones be theatrical and anything they want to be.

Regardless of sex kids need to climb, preferably outdoors but when they are inside, they need to move, climb and slide, furthermore exercise their bodies and their imaginations.