Gender Differences Of 5-and 6-year-old Children In The Area Play

The research aims to learn the gender differences of 60 children(30boys,30 girls,aged 5-6)in the area play of a provincial demonstration kindergarten of Chengdu by using the literature method,the product analysis method and the interviewing method.The factor to influence children’s behavior in the regional game is also collected and the suggestions are given as well.The research indicates that there are some gender differences in the area play between boys and girls,such as the choice of the play area,the choice of the play material,the choice of the game role,the choice of the play theme and the choice of the playmate.On the choice of the play area,boys’ favorite is the police station,girls’ favorite is the doll house.Boys also like the doll house,girls also like the construction zone.On the choice of the play material,the function of the play material is the main factor of boys’ choice of the play material.However,the material’s color,the material’s texture and the material’s decoration are the main factors of girls’ choice of the play material.On the choice of the game roles,boys like playing police best,girls like playing mothers or sisters best.On the choice of the play theme,boys’ favorite is the social play theme and the rough and tough play,as well as fictitious play.The themes of the boys’ play aren’t relative.However,girls’ favorite play themes are the family theme,make-up theme and the daily life theme.The themes of the girls’ play are relative.On the choice of the playmate,boys and girls both like playing with same gender playmates.The research indicates that the main factors to affect boys’ and girls’ behavior inthe area play are the teachers,the environment of the game,the way of parents to nurture children,the playmate and the media.For children’s play and children’s sex role development,I give some advice on kindergarten education,family education and social education.