Children
do develop slightly differently depending on their gender. But there's more
variation amongst girls and boys than there is between them. Every child is
unique and will develop at his or her own pace.
Gender identity
Toddlers
may know their gender by the time they are three years old.
However, toddlers live in the present, and may not realize that their gender
now will be the same when they grow up.
Until toddlers are about three years old, they will just choose the toy to play with that they enjoy most. Whether it’s a doll or a toy lorry will make no difference to them.
It’s difficult to avoid your toddler being exposed to gender stereotypes. Between three years old and four years old, children may start to choose the toys that they think are appropriate for their gender.
It’s around this age that children may start to prefer playing with friends of their own gender. Children may also choose gender-specific toys because they help them to fit in with their friends.
Even if you've tried to create a gender-neutral home, your little one may still see a dividing line between boys and girls. Toddlers have firm ideas about how girls and boys should behave and which toys they should play with. This is normal. Children see things in black and white. And this applies to gender as much as anything else.
Until toddlers are about three years old, they will just choose the toy to play with that they enjoy most. Whether it’s a doll or a toy lorry will make no difference to them.
It’s difficult to avoid your toddler being exposed to gender stereotypes. Between three years old and four years old, children may start to choose the toys that they think are appropriate for their gender.
It’s around this age that children may start to prefer playing with friends of their own gender. Children may also choose gender-specific toys because they help them to fit in with their friends.
Even if you've tried to create a gender-neutral home, your little one may still see a dividing line between boys and girls. Toddlers have firm ideas about how girls and boys should behave and which toys they should play with. This is normal. Children see things in black and white. And this applies to gender as much as anything else.
Getting dressed
On
average, girls learn how to do the fiddly things, such as dressing
themselves and scribbling, earlier
than boys.
Both dressing and scribbling with crayons involve fine motor skills. These are the small actions that toddlers make with their fingers and thumbs.
Both dressing and scribbling with crayons involve fine motor skills. These are the small actions that toddlers make with their fingers and thumbs.
Making friends
Girls
tend to develop social skills, such as the inclination to play with other
children, earlier than boys. However, toddlers' social development is more related to the
situation in which they're brought up than their gender.
Toddlers with older siblings may find it easier to get used to playing with other children, whereas single children may be more comfortable with adults.
When toddlers are three years or older, they will really start to understand love and trust. They'll start to be affectionate towards friends and extended family and may be keen to give their favourite people frequent hugs! They’ll also get better at sharing their toys, and may label all their playmates as friends.
Toddlers with older siblings may find it easier to get used to playing with other children, whereas single children may be more comfortable with adults.
When toddlers are three years or older, they will really start to understand love and trust. They'll start to be affectionate towards friends and extended family and may be keen to give their favourite people frequent hugs! They’ll also get better at sharing their toys, and may label all their playmates as friends.
Physical activity
Generally,
boys are more active and restless than girls, but it's a small difference. All toddlers love
to keep busy by running,
jumping, and throwing things.
And all toddlers need at least three hours' activity a day.
However, there is evidence that boys are slightly more likely to let their anger show when they are frustrated than girls are.
If your toddler's behaviour is sometimes a challenge, keep calm and be consistent. Remember that all toddlers need the security of clear rules.
However, there is evidence that boys are slightly more likely to let their anger show when they are frustrated than girls are.
If your toddler's behaviour is sometimes a challenge, keep calm and be consistent. Remember that all toddlers need the security of clear rules.
Potty training
Girls do
tend to be potty trained about three months earlier
than boys.
We don't really know why this is. Perhaps girls are more interested in feeling
dry than boys are. Or maybe it's because boys tend to like being on the go more
of the time, so they may be less happy with anything that prevents them from
doing this, such as sitting on a potty.
Try not to worry and don't feel pressure to start potty training before your toddler is ready. Every child is different.
Potty training is more likely to be successful if you let your child set the pace. Look for the signs that your toddler is ready to start. These signs can appear any time between 18 months and three years.
Try not to worry and don't feel pressure to start potty training before your toddler is ready. Every child is different.
Potty training is more likely to be successful if you let your child set the pace. Look for the signs that your toddler is ready to start. These signs can appear any time between 18 months and three years.
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