(The Lion) — Should children read books about transgenderism?
A Manhattan preschool recently had a transgender-identifying substitute teacher do just that in a classroom of 3- and 4-year-olds.
“Most of the parents were in shock and clueless of the decision that the school made,” mother Vivian Cialini told WPIX.
Cialini’s child was present when the substitute teacher read It Feels Good to Be Yourself to a 16-student class at the New York Kids Club, a city-funded school on Amsterdam Avenue.
Some children asked their parents questions about the book, prompting backlash.
One excerpt of the book tells children that more than two genders exist.
“There are so many ways to be a boy or girl,” the excerpt says. “Not everyone feels like either a boy or a girl.”
Cialini thinks such content is inappropriate for a preschool book.
“I believe it’s too early for them to understand,” she told WPIX. “They barely have awareness of their body.”
Jennifer Clement, the school’s CEO, addressed the incident in a statement:
“We are deeply committed to fostering an environment where children can grow, learn, and explore in a manner that is both age-appropriate and respectful of diverse perspectives,” she said, adding that the school is working to “ensure that materials utilized align with the developmental needs of our students.”
The school also emailed parents, admitting parents should have been notified.
“We all agree that we would rather this have been communicated to our families beforehand and will ensure it takes place in the future,” the email said.
But Alaina Daniels, who helped start the LGBT Transformative Schools after-school program for children 9 and older in New York City, defended the teacher’s decision.
“The message of the book is it’s OK to be whatever gender you’d like to be,” Daniels told WPIX. “Research says that kids learning about diverse identities helps everyone learn and feel safe. These are conversations kids and adults should be having and should be learning.”
Cialini disagrees.
“We expressed they violated our rights as parents,” she said.
New York City Public Schools is also reportedly investigating the incident.
