Experience teaches only the teachable.
-Aldous Huxley
Male teachers are a rarity around the world. The World Forum
Working Group on Men in Early Childhood Education met in Belfast for two days prior to the 2009 World Forum on Early Care and Education to further their work on supporting gender balance in early childhood. Over the past four years this working group has been exploring the following issues:
- the value of gender balance in early childhood education
- barriers to full participation of men
- research on men in early childhood education
- myths and stereotypes on men in early childhood education
- strategies for increasing male involvement on a global basis
The Working Group is currently compiling a map-driven directory of all projects around the world working to increase male involvement and gender balance in early childhood education. If you are interested in being a part of this work or in being informed on their work, go to the web pages of the
Working Group on Men in ECE.
Exchange now offers the new video produced by Frances Carlson,
Expect Male Involvement: Recruiting & Retaining Men in Early Childhood Education. This video explores the positive benefits of having men in your Early Childhood Education program. Watch it to learn why men choose Early Childhood Education as a career, best practices for recruitment and retention, and the significance of men in young children's lives. Those appearing on the video include Bryan Nelson, Mark Ginsberg, Frances Carlson, and Bonnie Neugebauer.
Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsRedmond, WA, United States
We have a male lead infant teacher in our program and we love him dearly. He is so sweet with the babies and does a great job in the classroom. The parents all love him as well. We actually haven't had any questions or concerns about why we have a male teacher from any of our parents. We hope he never leaves.
Pennington, NJ, United States
I agree that it is important that men are better represented in the early childhood community. I know from experience, that it is essential for the school administration to help families feel comfortable having men working with their young children. I also feel that men should not be valued just because they are male. They need to be gifted in working with young children and possess the same qualities as highly-talented female teachers: compassion, communication with families, organization, and the ability to let the children be the center of attention, while facilitating their growth and development in a loving and supportive atmosphere.
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