The Wire

A pre-school in Sweden received a lot of publicity recently because of its gender-neutral curriculum. It has avoided using books and learning tools that promote traditional gender roles, and it avoids using language that refers to the childrens’ gender. Many would say it’s an idea that would never take off in Australia. But across the nation, early childhood education is becoming increasingly learner-based, with the children having more input into the curriculum. As The Wire’s Leeanne Torpey found out, when the kids are in charge, some surprises can result.