Rita

The Importance of Seeing All Children

Rita is an only child and has recently settled into a German-English kindergarten. Rita's parents speak Greek with Rita and can communicate with the teachers in English. Since entering kindergarten, Rita has stopped speaking Greek at home and is speaking English with friends. Rita was born biologically female and identifies as a boy. He first began to exhibit signs of gender oppositional behaviour when he was two-and-a-halfyears old. Although Rita’s parents are very loving, their approach to gender is traditional. Educators have overheard them tellingRita to “behave like a girl” and encouraging him to engage in activities which are typically believed to be more feminine.They are currently in the process of getting divorced and have started partner counseling.

Age: 5 years and 4 months

Home language: Greek

Additional language spoken: -

When interacting and working with children of different backgrounds, it is likely that educators will encounter new situations. Rather than becoming frustrated by the unknown, educators should strive to find ways of navigating barriers and work in a partnership with the parents to ensure the wants and needs of the child are recognized and that the child feels seen in their new environment. 

• What pronoun should educators use when addressing Rita?

• How can educators support Rita's parents through these transitions?

• What communication barriers might educators face when discussing Rita's gender identity with the parents?

• How can the educators help Rita feel seen during the settling process?

• What tools do they have available to them?