Gender constancy (7+ years)

• children are able to recognise that sex is generally constant
• children realised that sex is permanent
• children begin to use genitals as a way of determining sex and realise this is unchangeable
• children can 'conserve'

  • know that things remain the same despite changing appearances
  • e.g. a man who puts on a skirt is still a man
• children can 'de-centre'

  • see the world from other's point of view
  • know that both their sex and others does not change
• children appreciate that sex is constant over time and situations
• children start to actively seek out sex/ gender role models and develop sex/ gender appropriate behaviour