When do children begin to recognize gender differences? & bull; hello healthy

There are many things that children have to learn until they grow up. Starting from how to eat by yourself, using your own toilet, distinguishing colors, to differentiating gender, namely men and women. But take it easy, all these lessons are slowly being accepted by children. Without you knowing it, your child may begin to see gender differences. For example, where are his friends who are male and which are female.

Actually, how is a child's understanding of gender differences formed? When do children begin to understand that men's and women's bodies are different? Here's the explanation.

The stage of child development recognizes gender differences

From an early age, children actually begin to learn to know their environment. Family is the first place where children begin to learn to know many things. In the family, there are mothers and fathers, where children can learn to recognize the sex of the two closest people. The following are the stages of children learning to recognize gender differences.

Age 7 months

Children have begun to be able to distinguish between male (father) and female (mother) voices. The proof alone, he was able to find the source of the voice of his mother or father. Generally, male voices tend to be heavy while female voices are higher. Children also learn for the first time to recognize gender differences from this pattern.

12 months of age

Children begin to be able to distinguish faces between boys and girls. Children will pay attention to their mother's face when they are spoken to by their mother and will see their father's face when he hears his father's voice.

Age 2 years

Children have started to be able to distinguish toys for girls and boys. Usually this is because there are gender stereotypes (prejudices) in choosing their toys. For example, the stereotype that girls should play with "girl toys" such as dolls and cooking. Meanwhile, boys play with "boy toys" such as toy cars and robots.

This is very much influenced by the treatment of parents to their children. The more you differentiate the roles of women and men in general, the more children see gender differences in their daily lives.

Children also begin to be able to imitate and pay attention to how adults behave based on their gender.

2-3 years old

At this age, children may already be curious about the physical differences between boys and girls. You may have seen children touch their genitals, for example when they shower, change their pants, or when they urinate. This is normal and you shouldn't scold him.

At this time, the child needs to be told that the part of the body it touches is the penis or vagina. You can tell him when the child is taking a shower or changing clothes. Avoid using figurative words, such as "bird". Tell the child the real name, this will make it easier for the child to accept it well and also so as not to appear vulgar. The genitals are part of human anatomy.

Say that your child should cover their genitals because they have to be kept to themselves, others shouldn't see or touch them, as sex education specialist Tara Johnson tells Today's Parent. Teach them the shame when their genitals are seen by others, so that children will also be embarrassed if they touch their genitals in public. This can also help prevent children from being sexually abused.

At this age, children can begin to label themselves as a boy or a girl (they already know their gender identity). He has also begun to be able to say which of his friends or family are male or female. He has noticed the physical differences between boys and girls.

3-4 years old

Children at this age have started to incorporate gender into their lives. For example, children have started to think that toy cars are boys toys, while beautiful princess dolls are toys for girls. So, he doesn't want to play with toys that are not according to his gender.

Another example, for example, when a child is playing cooking, he will act as a father if he is a boy, while a daughter will act as a mother. Children have also begun to distinguish which clothes are for boys and which are for girls.

Again, it all depends on how parents care for and give examples to their children on a daily basis. If you let your child try all kinds of toys despite the stereotypes inherent in society, the child can be more flexible in playing and expressing himself.

4-6 years old

Increasingly developed, children at the age of 4-6 years have started to differentiate between the roles of women and men (gender) in general. For example, a child thinks that helping a mother cook is a girl's activity, while helping a father lift heavy weights is a boy's task.

At this age, continue to teach children about their genitals. It is one part of his body and what distinguishes boys from girls. When you explain, your child may ask a variety of questions. It is better to answer simply and slowly, give understanding to children so that children understand, not avoid avoiding children's questions.