17.04.2025
OER Teaching Concept - Designing a Gender-Neutral Toy
Author: Vanessa Benthaus (St. Pius-Gymnasium Coesfeld)
Edited by: Elena Kerling (AKADEMIE der Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
Video licence: CC BY-ND 4.0
Material licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
Upload: 17.04.2025
This OER, Designing a Gender-Neutral Toy to Discuss Gender Stereotypes and Their Consequences on Children’s Development, is designed as a teaching resource to explore and critically reflect on gender roles and stereotypes in early childhood through the lens of toy design. The lesson guides students in analysing the characteristics of stereotypical toys often marketed as “for boys” or “for girls”—such as colour schemes, types of toys, and associated attributes—and in understanding the social and developmental consequences of these gendered expectations.
A central focus of the lesson is to break with these patterns by engaging students in designing a toy that reflects gender-neutrality. Prior to the creative phase, students critically assess the negative effects of playing exclusively with gender-specific toys, which serves as a foundation for developing criteria for inclusive and non-stereotypical toy concepts. This OER encourages learners to challenge gender norms, reflect on identity and diversity, and promote inclusive thinking in everyday contexts.
This OER is part of the cross-cutting issue Gender Equality and Diversity and was recorded in the TESTEd CPD course on 29 January 2025.
Show notes:
- All images used are licensed under open (free) licenses.
- Text “What’s the harm in gendered toys?”: What’s the Harm in Gendered Toys? | Diversity In Toys
- Video “Girl toys vs. boy toys – the experiment”: Girl toys vs boy toys: The experiment – BBC Stories
- Text “How toys became gendered”: How toys became gendered | MSUToday | Michigan State University
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