Résumés
Abstract
At a time when 2SLGBTQI+ identities are targeted with increasing hostility, criminalization, and attempted erasure by government officials, binary gender norms saturate the field of early childhood education (ECE). While there has been a surge in the publication of gender-diverse children’s literature in recent years, many of these books are now banned in the United States, which impacts their reception in Canada, including BC, Alberta, and New Brunswick. This study elicits children’s responses toward picture books about gender nonconformity, demonstrating how circle time can be queerly reimagined and practiced in ECE. Grounded in queer theory and trans studies, queer circle time is presented as an urgently needed and replicable pedagogical practice for ECE.
Keywords:
- 2SLGBTQI+,
- early literacy,
- circle time,
- gender,
- early childhood education
Parties annexes
Bibliography
- Adler, K., Salanterä, S., & Zumstein-Shaha, M. (2019). Focus group interviews in child, youth, and parent research: An integrative literature review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691988727410.1177/1609406919887274 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Anderson, A. (2018). Neither. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- ARC Foundation. (2024a). SOGI 123. https://www.sogieducation.orgGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- ARC Foundation. (2024b). New shorelines: SOGI 123 in Atlantic Canada. https://www.sogieducation.org/new-shorelines-sogi-123-in-atlantic-canada/Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Auerbach, C. F., & Silverstein, L. B. (2003). Qualitative data: An introduction to coding and analysis. NYU Press.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Barriage, S., Betler, S., Lawler, R., Fort, V. B., Thorne, J., Kitzie, V., & Oltmann, S. M. (2024). A content analysis of picture books read during drag storytimes in public libraries. Public Library Quarterly, 44(1), 32–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2024.235860910.1080/01616846.2024.2358609 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Beltchenko, L. (2016). Intellectual pursuits of young children through picture book literacy, focusing on Italian preschools. Gifted Child Today, 39(3), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.1177/107621751664463610.1177/1076217516644636 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Berlant, L., & Warner, M. (1995). What does queer theory teach us about x? Publications of the Modern Language Association (PMLA), 110(3), 343–349. https://www.jstor.org/stable/462930Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Berry, T., & Wilkins, J. (2017). The gendered portrayal of inanimate characters in children’s books. Journal of Children’s Literature, 43(2), 4–15. https://www.childrensliteratureassembly.org/uploads/1/1/8/6/118631535/the_gendered_portrayal_of_inan.pdfGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Blaise. M. (2005). Playing it straight: Uncovering gender discourses in the early childhood classroom. Routledge.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Blaise, M. (2009). “What a girl wants, what a girl needs”: Responding to sex, gender, and sexuality in the early childhood classroom. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 23(4), 450–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/0256854090959467310.1080/02568540909594673 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Blaise, M., & Taylor, A. (2012). Using queer theory to rethink gender equity in early childhood education. Young Children, 67(1), 88–98. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290316392_Using_queer_theory_to_rethink_gender_equity_in_early_childhood_educationGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Bluebond-Langner, M., & Korbin J. E. (2007). Challenges and opportunities in the anthropology of childhoods: An introduction to “children, childhoods, and childhood studies”. American Anthropologist, 109(2), 241–246. https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.2007.109.2.24110.1525/aa.2007.109.2.241 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Britzman, D. P. (1995). Is there a queer pedagogy? Or, stop reading straight. Educational Theory, 45(2), 151–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-5446.1995.00151Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Burkholder, C., Whitty, P., Malin, P., & Keehn, M. (2025). On summoning queer joy in early childhood education: Some findings from New Brunswick, Canada. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 23(3), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X25131889410.1177/1476718X251318894 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Butler, J. (1993). Critically queer. GLQ, 1(1), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.1215/10642684-1-1-1710.1215/10642684-1-1-17 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Callahan, S., & Nicholas, L. (2019). Dragon wings and butterfly wings: Implicit gender binarism in early childhood. Gender and Education, 31(6), 705–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2018.155236110.1080/09540253.2018.1552361 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Casey, K., Novick, K., & Lourenco, S. F. (2021). Sixty years of gender representation in children’s books: Conditions associated with overrepresentation of male versus female protagonists. PLoS ONE, 16(12), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.026056610.1371/journal.pone.0260566 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Clark, A. (2017). Listening to young children: A guide to understanding and using the mosaic approach (3rd ed.). Jessica Kingsley.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Coad, J., Harding, S., Hambly, H., Parker, N., Morgan, L., Marshall, J., & Roulstone, S. (2020). Perspectives of preschool children in England with speech and language needs in the development of evidence-based activities. Child: Care, Health and Development, 46(3), 283–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.1274610.1111/cch.12746 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC. (2025). $10aDay. https://www.10aday.ca/Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- CP24. (2025, Jan 22). Poilievre says he’s “only aware of two” genders but government should mind its own business. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIxJ0UI0_J0&t=39sGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Crawley, S. A. (2017). Be who you are: Exploring representations of transgender children in picturebooks. Journal of Children’s Literature, 43(2), 28–41.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Crisp, T., & Hiller, B. (2011). “Is this a boy or a girl?”: Rethinking sex-role representation in Caldecott Medal-winning picturebooks, 1938–2011. Children’s Literature in Education, 42, 196–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-011-9128-110.1007/s10583-011-9128-1 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Curtin, C. (2001). Eliciting children’s voices in qualitative research. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(3), 295–302. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.55.3.29510.5014/ajot.55.3.295 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Deguara, J. (2019). Young children’s drawings: A methodological tool for data analysis. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 17(2), 157–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X1881820310.1177/1476718X18818203 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Dyer, H., Sinclair-Palm, J., Joynt, C., Yeo, M., & Tait, C. (2021). Aesthetic expression of queer kinship in children’s drawings. Journal of Canadian Studies, 54(2–3). https://doi.org/10.3138/jcs-2020-005410.3138/jcs-2020-0054 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Earles, J. (2017). Reading gender: A feminist, queer approach to children’s literature and children’s discursive agency. Gender and Education, 29(3), 369–388. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2016.115606210.1080/09540253.2016.1156062 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Emilson, A., & Johansson, E. (2013). Participation and gender in circle-time situations in preschool. International Journal of Early Years Education, 21(2), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2013.77132310.1080/09669760.2013.771323 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Faldet, A., & Nes, K. (2021). Valuing vulnerable children’s voices in educational research. International Journal of Inclusive Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.195660210.1080/13603116.2021.1956602 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Fast, A. A., & Olson, K. R. (2018). Gender development in transgender preschool children. Child Development, 89(2), 620–637. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.1275810.1111/cdev.12758 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Government of British Columbia. (2019). B.C. early learning framework. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/early-learning/teach/earlylearning/early_learning_framework.pdfGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Hall, M. (2015). Red: A crayon’s story. Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Hartman, P. (2019). Using literacy to explore heteronormativity with second-graders. Exploring gender and LGBTQ issues in K–12 and teacher education (pp. 73–94). Information Age.10.1108/978-1-64113-619-820251008 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Hedberg, L., Venzo, P., & Young, H. (2022). Mums, dads and the kids: Representations of rainbow families in children’s picture books. Journal of LGBTQ Youth, 19(2), 198–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2020.177916410.1080/19361653.2020.1779164 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Hernandez, C., & Firebaugh, M. (2015). M is for moustache. Flamingo Rampant.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Jagose, A. (2009). Feminism’s queer theory. Feminism & Psychology, 19(2), 157–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/095935350910215210.1177/0959353509102152 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Johnson, L. (2025, Dec 10). Alberta uses notwithstanding clause again, on 3 laws affecting transgender youth. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-bill-late-reading-9.7009893Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Keegan, C. M. (2020). Getting disciplined: What’s trans* about queer studies now? Journal of Homosexuality, 67(3), 384–397. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2018.153088510.1080/00918369.2018.1530885 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Keenan, H. B. (2017). Unscripting curriculum: Toward a critical trans pedagogy. Harvard Educational Review, 87(4), 538–556. https://doi.org/10.17763/1943-5045-87.4.53810.17763/1943-5045-87.4.538 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Keenan, H. B. (2024). Learning without subjects?: Considering trans pedagogies in practice. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2023.229901310.1080/09518398.2023.2299013 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Keenan, H., & Hot Mess, L. M. (2021). Drag pedagogy: The playful practice of queer imagination in early childhood. Curriculum Inquiry, 50(5), 440–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/03626784.2020.186462110.1080/03626784.2020.1864621 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2007). An array of qualitative data analysis tools: A call for data analysis triangulation. School Psychology Quarterly, 22(4), 557–584. https://doi.org/10.1037/1045-3830.22.4.55710.1037/1045-3830.22.4.557 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Legislative Assembly of Alberta. (2024). Bill 27: Education amendment act. https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/bills/bill/legislature_31/session_1/20230530_bill-027.pdfGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Loney, A. J., & Saldaña, C. (2017). Bunnybear. Albert Whitman & Company.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Love, J. (2018). Julián is a mermaid. Candlewick Press.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Lyttleton-Smith, J. (2017). Objects of conflict: (Re)configuring early childhood experiences of gender in the preschool classroom. Gender and Education, 31(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2017.133234310.1080/09540253.2017.1332343 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Mallet, R. (2025). The re-production of gender in early childhood education: A feminist new materialist analysis. The Open University. https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.00102516Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Malin, H. (2013). Making meaningful: Intention in children’s art making. International Journal of Art & Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-8070.2013.01719.x10.1111/j.1476-8070.2013.01719.x Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Marshall, E. (2004). Stripping for the wolf: Rethinking representations of gender in children’s literature. Reading Research Quarterly, 39(3), 256–270. https://doi.org/10.1598/RRQ.39.3.110.1598/RRQ.39.3.1 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Matsumoto, H., Nishiu, H., Taniguchi, M., Kataoka, M., & Matsui, G. (2023). Pedagogical photo documentation for play in early childhood education and care. Early Years, 43(4–5), 794–810. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2021.201740710.1080/09575146.2021.2017407 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Mattix, A., & Sobolak, M. J. (2014). Focus on elementary—The gender journey in picturebooks: A look back to move forward. Childhood Education, 90(3), 229–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2014.91206110.1080/00094056.2014.912061 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Mayaba, N. N., & Wood, L. (2015). Using drawings and collages as data generation methods with children: Definitely not child’s play. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940691562140710.1177/1609406915621407 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Möller, K., J. (2020). Reading and responding to LGBTQ-inclusive children’s literature in school settings: Considering the state of research on inclusion. Language Arts, 97(4), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.58680/la20203051310.58680/la202030513 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Naidoo, J. C. (2018). A rainbow of creativity: Exploring drag queen story times and gender creative programming in public libraries. Children and Libraries, 16(4), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.5860/cal.16.4.1210.5860/cal.16.4.12 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- PEN America. (2024, Nov 1). Banned in the USA: Beyond the shelves. https://pen.org/report/beyond-the-shelves/Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Pitman, G. E., & Litten, K. (2014). This day in June. Magination Press.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Prioletta, J. (2018). Unequal education in preschool: Gender at play. Girlhood Studies, 11(2), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.3167/ghs.2018.11020710.3167/ghs.2018.110207 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Prioletta, J., Davies, A., & Smith, K. (2025). The Bloomsbury handbook of gender and sexuality in early childhood. Bloomsbury.10.5040/9781350421110 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Redfield, E., & Chokshi, I. (2025, January). Impact of the executive order redefining sex on transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. UCLA Williams Institute School of Law. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/impact-eo-redefine-sex-tbi/Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Robinson, K. H. (2005). “Queerying” gender: Heteronormativity in early childhood education. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 30(2), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391050300020610.1177/183693910503000206 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Schall, J. M. (2016). Representations of same sex marriage in children’s picture storybooks. In H. Johnson, J. Mathis, & K. G. Short (Eds.), Critical content analysis of children’s and young adult literature: Reframing perspective (pp. 92–105). Routledge.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Schall, J., & Kauffman, G. (2003). Exploring literature with gay and lesbian characters in the elementary school. Journal of Children’s Literature, 29(1), 36–45.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Sedgwick, E. K. (1993). Queer and now. In Tendencies (pp. 1–20). Duke University Press.10.2307/j.ctv11hpmxs.4 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Skrlac Lo, C. (2018). Changing childhoods: Using queer theory and intersectional methods to reconsider the epistemic resources of children with gay and lesbian parents. Global Studies of Childhood, 8(1), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/204361061875840410.1177/2043610618758404 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Stachowiak, D. M. (2017). Queering it up, strutting our threads, and baring our souls: Genderqueer individuals negotiating social and felt sense of gender. Journal of Gender Studies, 26(5), 532–543. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2016.115081710.1080/09589236.2016.1150817 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Stryker, S. (2017). Transgender history: The roots of today’s revolution (2nd ed.). Seal Press.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Sun, Y., Blewitt, C., Edwards, S., Fraser, A., Newman, S., Cornelius, J., & Skouteris, H. (2023). Methods and ethics in qualitative research exploring young children’s voice: A systematic review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406923115244910.1177/16094069231152449 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Taylor, A., & Giugni, M. (2012). Common worlds: Reconceptualising inclusion in early childhood communities. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 13(2), 108–119. https://doi.org/10.2304/ciec.2012.13.2.10810.2304/ciec.2012.13.2.108 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Taylor, A., & Richardson, C. (2005). Queering home corner. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 6(2), 163–173. https://doi.org/10.2304/ciec.2005.6.2.610.2304/ciec.2005.6.2.6 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Teachman, G., & Gladstone, B. (2020). Guest editors’ introduction: Special issue: Construction of “children’s voices” in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940692098065410.1177/1609406920980654 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- The White House. (2025, January 20). Defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- United Nations. (1989). Article 8. United Nations convention on the rights of the child. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-childGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Van Horn, S. E. (2022). Towards queer literacy in elementary education: Always becoming allies. Springer Nature.10.1007/978-3-031-17087-4 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Van Ness, J., & Reid, G. (2020). Peanut goes for the gold. HarperCollins Press.Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Walker, R. L., & Adesanya, T. (2024, Sept 26). Democracy’s sledgehammer: The use of the notwithstanding clause for Saskatchewan’s Bill 137, “The Parent’s Bill of Rights.” Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. https://www.schoolofpublicpolicy.sk.ca/research-ideas/publications-and-policy-insight/policy-brief/bill-137.php#:~:text=The%20policy%20also%20requires%20that,any%20involvement%20with%20third%2DpartyGoogle Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar
- Yoon, H. S., & Templeton, T. N. (2019). The practice of listening to children: The challenges of hearing children out in an adult-regulated world. Harvard Educational Review, 89(1), 55–84. https://doi.org/10.17763/1943-5045-89.1.5510.17763/1943-5045-89.1.55 Google Scholar Rechercher cette référence bibliographique sur Google Scholar

