Gender Representations in Early Childhood Development: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Selected ECD Rhymes

Nursery rhymes play an important role in the formal and informal development of toddlers. The rhyme is used to impact values that make the young grow into responsible citizens. In pursuance of international calls to eradicate gender inequality in communities, the study aims at making a gender analysis of selected ECD rhymes. Three popular ECD rhymes were subjected to a three-pronged analytical lens adopted from critical discourse analysis. The rhyme lyrics were analysed in the following ways: (i) analysis of the rhymes as discourse (ii) rhymes as performed language, (ii) description of discourses about the rhyme. Conclusions from the study show that there is a critical role that music plays at ECD level. However, nurturers seem oblivious to the role that rhymes play in perpetuating traditional gender stereotypes that fuel gender inequality in our communities. The analysis of these rhymes may help in making stakeholders aware of the need to come up with gender-neutral rhymes that promote equal opportunities for girls and boys in all spheres of life even as they grow up. Keywords: femininity, early childhood development, gender socialisation, masculinity, music DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-33-07 Publication date: November 30 th 2022