Children as young as three learn to reject toxic masculinity at nursery and primary schools in London

"They are taught no emotional reaction is bad and to speak up about anything that makes them uncomfortable, including hugs. As a result, St Saviour's doesn't have any permanent exclusions and a lower rate of suspensions. Over 9,000 London schoolchildren are receiving lessons up to three times a week on respect, kindness and how their actions make others feel. The project is designed by the global education specialists, Think Equal."

"Leslee Udwin, a British filmmaker turned education activist who founded Think Equal, believes children must be armed with tools to help promote inclusion, equality and wellbeing in society. Asked whether the very young should be taught how to avoid negative behaviours in later life, Ms Udwin told the Standard: It's too late after six-years-old. In a vacuum created by a lack of positive role models, she said youngsters are turning to figures such as self-proclaimed misogynist Tate, 39, and street gang leaders."

"By primary school, children can have absolute gender stereotypes, Ms Udwin says. She added: It's not unusual to see many come in at three-years-old pulling hair, pushing and kicking. Some teachers have even encountered eight-year-old boys addicted to pornography, she adds. We have a lot of violence and aggression in little ones, particularly post Covid. Teachers have been seeing behaviours they have never seen before."

A Think Equal-designed programme provides three- to six-year-olds with lessons on empathy, emotional literacy, respect, kindness, consent and how actions affect others. The programme runs in thousands of UK classrooms and reaches over 9,000 London schoolchildren with sessions up to three times a week. Children are taught that no emotional reaction is bad and are encouraged to speak up about anything that makes them uncomfortable, including hugs. Participating schools report no permanent exclusions and reduced suspension rates. The programme emphasizes early intervention before age six in response to rising aggression, stereotyping and harmful role models post-Covid.

Read at www.standard.co.uk