Clare Willetts Founder of not only pink and blue shares her thoughts on how we can challenge gender stereotypes from birth. She describes the inequality she experienced as a child, and the impact it had on her, leading her to question the gendered nature of school uniforms. She shares resources and tips to challenge our buying behaviour for children's clothes and how we can support our children's learning without boy/girl filters.
Website: https://www.notonlypinkandblue.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notonlypinkblue/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/notonlypinkblue
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notonlypinkblue/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/not-only-pink-and-blue/
Curious About Nature is hosted by Rachel Mills, educator and founder of Buttercup Learning.
Website: https://buttercuplearning.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buttercup_hello/
Email: [email protected]
Curious About Nature is a podcast for families, home educators and teachers who want to help children build a closer relationship with the natural world.
Through conversations with guests working across wildlife, conservation, outdoor learning, creativity and child development, the podcast explores the many ways we connect children, families and communities with nature.
The podcast is currently resting, with the full archive available to explore.
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What we Discussed in the Episode
**Clare's Background [00:01:10]**
Clare talks about her background in advertising and how it led her to start Not Only Pink and Blue.
**Challenging Stereotypes [00:02:00]**
Clare discusses the impact of stereotypes on children and how Not Only Pink and Blue challenges them through buying behaviour, collaborations with businesses, and creating parent-friendly cultures.
**Not Only Pink and Blue's Course for Parents [00:06:30]**
Clare talks about the new course for parents offered by Not Only Pink and Blue, which addresses common questions and concerns around kids' clothing, games, and toys.
**Tips for Communicating Wishes [00:07:46]**
Clare gives tips for gently communicating wishes about kids' clothing, games, and toys with friends and relatives.
**Challenging stereotypes in toys and clothing [00:08:50]**
Discussion on the importance of introducing a variety of toys and clothing colours to children to develop different skill sets and challenge gender stereotypes.
**Negative association with "girly" and pink [00:11:09]**
Exploration of how the association of pink with "girly" and negative connotations affects children's clothing choices and how to change this perception.
**Campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes [00:13:56]**
Mention of campaigns such as "Let Toys Be Toys" and Sunshine Magazine's efforts to challenge gender stereotypes in baby products and clothing.
**Practicality and fit of girls' clothing [00:15:53]**
Discussion on the practicality and fit of girls' clothing, including the length of shorts and quality differences, compared to boys' clothing.
**Portraying Gender in Children's Literature [00:18:43]**
Discussion on traditional children's books and how they often reinforce gender stereotypes, with tips on how to challenge them and examples of authors and illustrators who do so.
**Resources for Challenging Stereotypes [00:20:02]**
Recommendations for companies and services that provide books and stories that challenge gender and other stereotypes, including Butterfly Books and Little Box of Books.
**Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Schools [00:22:31]**
Tips for parents on how to ask their children's schools about their approach to challenging gender stereotypes, including questions about how the class is divided and what books are used.
**Creating Parent-Friendly Cultures [00:27:43]**
Discussion on the importance of creating parent-friendly cultures in businesses, with a focus on shared parental leave and research on why dads often don't take it.
**Parental Leave Program [00:28:40]**
Clare discusses the need for a parental leave program that provides basic knowledge and support for new parents, including healthy sleep habits and weaning.
**Creating Parent-Friendly Cultures [00:30:18]**
Clare emphasizes the importance of creating parent-friendly networks in businesses to support employees during parental leave and help break down gender stereotypes in the home and at work.
**Importance of Involved Parents [00:31:56]**
Clare stresses the importance of involved parents, regardless of gender, in a child's life and how it can positively impact their development.
**Supporting Employees [00:32:38]**
Clare and Rachel discuss the importance of supporting employees during parental leave and how it can make a huge difference in their experience.
**Not Only Pink and Blue [00:33:27]**
Clare shares where to find her company, Not Only Pink and Blue, online and in person.
