I Wrote A Book Teaching Kids About Gender Equality With 3 Simple Words

Lauren Currie (right), with her husband Christopher Watson (left) and their son Atlas Watson (centre)In a world where women’s rights are being rolled back and misogyny is on the rise in classrooms, it’s never been more crucial for parents to teach their children about equality.Author and campaigner Lauren Currie is a firm believer that it doesn’t have to be a complicated conversation or lengthy process.She penned the children’s book Taylor Meets The Trick, which is all about teaching young kids (we’re talking four- to eight-year-olds) about fairness and gender equality.It might seem like a daunting task, but really it’s about making sure kids know that girls and boys are equal: they can both do the same things, and deserve to be treated the same. Currie stresses parents can start these conversations as early as possible – even before kids are speaking. And her way of explaining it to them is super simple and child-friendly.You spot something that’s unfair and you name it by saying: “That’s a trick.”How to talk about gender inequality in daily lifeYou could say something like: “Some people think there are different rules for girls and boys. That’s a trick. There aren’t, boys and girls should be treated the same.”If you’re in the toy store, you could say: “Hear that? The shelf says cars are for boys. That’s a trick. The real rule is: all toys are for everyone.”Or if someone at school mentioned that boys don’t wear pink, you could say: “Someone said boys don’t wear pink. Trick! What’s a fairer rule we can use at school?” At this point, you can help them come to the conclusion that “anyone can wear pink”.It’s all about noticing an unfair rule, naming it as “a trick” and choosing a better rule together, said Currie, one which focuses on treating girls and boys the same. You can even ask at dinner: “Did you spot a trick today?” and you could have an example ready yourself.And if you slip up yourself sometimes, don’t worry. Currie suggested you can “own it” and say something like: “I was tricked. I assumed your school nurse was a woman! I’m learning.”Isabella Bertoncini (7) reading Taylor Meets The TrickWhy these conversations are importantCurrie, who is also the founder of UPFRONT which supports women to build confidence, suggested most parents aren’t avoiding these conversations, but are simply “under-resourced” or worried about getting it wrong.“A shared, gentle phrase ‘that’s a trick’ reduces the fear and gets the conversation started,” she told HuffPost UK.It’s important we do tackle these topics, though. Currie stressed that if we don’t, we “leave children to absorb the old script by default”.“First as jokes and ‘that’s just how it is’, later as narrower choices about who they can be,” she said.“At today’s pace, global gender parity is over a century away ... Not because people don’t care, but because we lack simple, accessible language to use with children and the grown-ups who love them.“When we call it ‘the trick’, the door opens. We’re really talking about a complex force: patriarchal oppression. But simple words make simple actions possible: notice the story, name the trick, choose differently.”Related...There's Actually A Pretty Good Reason You Should Get Your Kids Helping Around The House'I'm A Teacher, Most Kids Can't Do Basic Things Anymore'Is It Time To Get Your Kids... A Landline?!

Comments

Breaking news

Prince Andrew ‘gagged Virginia Giuffre to protect Queen’s jubilee year’

Metro

Pictured: Company boss, 51, found 'murdered' in his own home two weeks after his wife died of cancer - as man, 31, is arrested

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Balcony collapse horror near University of Cincinnati as students plunge from 3rd floor while celebrating exams

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Top flight horse race is won by biggest-ever outsider in stunning 200-1 record upset

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Prince Andrew 'gagged' Virginia Giuffre for a year so the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations wouldn't be tarnished, book claims

about 3 hours ago

Burnley and Leeds stars are booed for taking the knee - as one player refuses to perform the gesture

Dailymail

Gary Neville comes under fire at Salford game as fan - who is wearing shirt calling pundit a 'traitor' - plants St George's flag in centre circle amid chants labelling him 'a w****r'

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Awkward wardrobe malfunction forces referee to intervene as Royal Albert Hall hosts Grand Sumo Tournament

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Kelly Osbourne cuts a heartbreaking figure as she clutches Ozzy's lifetime achievement award and says it 'would have meant the world to him'

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

British citizens who fought for Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes when they come home, Scottish Greens say

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Carol Vorderman, 64, reveals she's been 'very poorly' as she issues a major health update after being forced to quit her radio show following hospital scare

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Croissant for £42, caviar with scrambled eggs for £750 and a £48 omelette: How Michelin-starred breakfast became latest eating fad

about 3 hours ago

NHS nurse gets £300 parking fine while at work - as thousands of colleagues are targeted every year, new figures show

Dailymail

‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Anti-Trump rallies kick off in UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden before millions set to march in US

about 4 hours ago

Independent

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There's more behind their success than money

about 4 hours ago

Independent

Jason Momoa worked with a coach to speak Hawaiian authentically in 'Chief of War'

about 4 hours ago

Comments

Breaking news

Prince Andrew ‘gagged Virginia Giuffre to protect Queen’s jubilee year’

New blood test for 50 cancers ‘could make substantial difference to outcomes’

Ten injured after balcony collapses near University of Cincinnati as students were celebrating end of exams

Developing Rosebank oil field ‘pure climate vandalism’, Scottish Green insists

Jewish film festival postponed after cinemas ‘refuse to host events’

Police launch investigation after bar worker, 19, found dead in Manchester flat

US jury issues $20M verdict against French bank BNP Paribas over Sudanese atrocities

Reform’s newest MP Danny Kruger: ‘On a personal level I deeply regret rejecting the Tory party’

Lady Annabel Goldsmith death: Socialite who gave her name to London nightclub dies, aged 91

Skeletal woman 'locked in bedroom for 27 years' utters three chilling words

School staff member dies 'after being kicked in chest by pupil'

Scots mum's blurry vision during pregnancy uncovered as serious brain condition

Police probe new allegation against Scots Tinder rapist who faked own death

Portugal set for burka ban

Protesters in Germany demand removal of Madeleine McCann suspect

Prince Andrew still worth £3.7m even after losing all his royal titles

Three UK areas told by Met Office to prepare emergency kit - see if yours is one

EastEnders 90s heartthrobs now - drugs, illness and 'clown feuds'

Urgent warning as 'dangerous' fake weight loss drug is being pushed on social media

Aldi urgently recalls steaks over health fears as shoppers warned 'DO NOT EAT'

Prince William 'was driving force' behind Andrew giving up titles, claims royal expert

Donald Trump protests live: No Kings march in Washington DC attracts tens of thousands

Queen's one-word response to Prince Andrew's allegations before she passed

Burglary suspect does a poo in courtroom and lobs it at the judge before verdict

Ange Postecoglou SACKED by Nottingham Forest just minutes after heavy Chelsea loss

This hot chocolate advent calendar saves you £2 a day on fancy takeaway drinks

Pictured: Company boss, 51, found 'murdered' in his own home two weeks after his wife died of cancer - as man, 31, is arrested

Balcony collapse horror near University of Cincinnati as students plunge from 3rd floor while celebrating exams

Top flight horse race is won by biggest-ever outsider in stunning 200-1 record upset

Prince Andrew 'gagged' Virginia Giuffre for a year so the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations wouldn't be tarnished, book claims

Burnley and Leeds stars are booed for taking the knee - as one player refuses to perform the gesture

Net Zero destroyed my home: Father-of-one reveals how eco-friendly scheme cost him £250k and 'ripped his life apart'

Fury as historic Scottish sailing ship is towed out to sea and deliberately sunk off the coast of Hawaii

Gary Neville comes under fire at Salford game as fan - who is wearing shirt calling pundit a 'traitor' - plants St George's flag in centre circle amid chants labelling him 'a w****r'

Awkward wardrobe malfunction forces referee to intervene as Royal Albert Hall hosts Grand Sumo Tournament

Kelly Osbourne cuts a heartbreaking figure as she clutches Ozzy's lifetime achievement award and says it 'would have meant the world to him'

British citizens who fought for Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes when they come home, Scottish Greens say

Carol Vorderman, 64, reveals she's been 'very poorly' as she issues a major health update after being forced to quit her radio show following hospital scare

Croissant for £42, caviar with scrambled eggs for £750 and a £48 omelette: How Michelin-starred breakfast became latest eating fad

NHS nurse gets £300 parking fine while at work - as thousands of colleagues are targeted every year, new figures show

Inside Postecoglou's 39 days to forget at Forest

David Attenborough becomes oldest Daytime Emmy winner

Louisiana resident assisted in Hamas 7 October attack, US says

Watch: Brits row from Peru to Australia in tiny boat

Giuffre brother calls on King to strip Andrew of prince title

Eleven killed after Israel hits bus in Gaza, Hamas-run civil defence says

‘I dressed as Thatcher for Halloween 13 years ago as a joke – now it’s my full-time job’

Mystery of ‘crocodile’ spotted in UK river solved after police’s ‘strangest appeal ever’

Terrifying moment fire breaks out on plane travelling at 33,000ft

Fire chief’s home set ablaze after dog chews through lithium battery

Cowboy builder wrecked woman’s memorial garden for two-year-old granddaughter

Putin foe stabbed to death in Istanbul villa where he lived in exile

Ofcom orders BBC to air on TV finding that Gaza film broke broadcasting rules

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

Work begins to restore power to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Unions warn Reeves they could abandon Labour if she ‘panders to the right’ with more welfare cuts

Putin wants Farage to win to divide Europe, says Lammy

‘No Kings’ protests live updates: Anti-Trump rallies kick off in UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden before millions set to march in US

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There's more behind their success than money

Jason Momoa worked with a coach to speak Hawaiian authentically in 'Chief of War'