Examining Gendered Communications of Coding Kits for Young Children
Authors: 
Jingyao Cen, 
Junnan YuAuthors Info & Claims
Jingyao Cen, Junnan YuAuthors Info & ClaimsPages 624 - 629
Abstract
Designing computational toys and kits to welcome young children from different genders is essential to broaden participation in computing, as they play a critical role in facilitating children’s development of computational thinking. However, how young learners of different genders are being welcomed by these kits remains unclear. In this paper, we report our in-progress work examining how commercially available coding kits for young children are communicated from a gender perspective. Specifically, we analyzed the gender indications in the product descriptions and advertisement images of 30 kits, revealing a relatively balanced gender representation in images while significantly boy-oriented use of words in product descriptions. Ultimately, we call for attention and actions to more gender-inclusive communication of STEM toys for children.
References
[1]
Jason Bainbridge. 2018. Beyond pink and blue: The quiet rise of gender-neutral toys. https://theconversation.com/beyond-pink-and-blue-the-quiet-rise-of-gender-neutral-toys-95147
[2]
Marina Umaschi Bers. 2017. Coding as a playground: Programming and computational thinking in the early childhood classroom. Routledge, New York, NY, USA.
[3]
Botley. 2022. Botley 2.0 the Coding Robot. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.learningresources.com/media/botley/.
[4]
Sheila Brownlow, Julie A Rosamond, and Jennifer A Parker. 2003. Gender-linked linguistic behavior in television interviews. Sex Roles 49 (2003), 121–132.
[5]
D. Bruce Carter and Gary D. Levy. 1988. Cognitive Aspects of Early Sex-Role Development: The Influence of Gender Schemas on Preschoolers’ Memories and Preferences for Sex-Typed Toys and Activities. Child Development 59, 3 (June 1988), 782. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130576
[6]
Jingyao Cen, Tian Xu, and Junnan Yu. 2023. Examining Gender-Oriented Design Features in Computational Toys and Kits for Young Children. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (Hamburg, Germany) (CHI ’23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 303, 19 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3544548.3581035
[7]
Let’s Go Code!2022. Let’s Go Code! Activity Set. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.learningresources.com/item-let-s-go-code-tm-activity-set.
[8]
Codespark. 2022. Codespark. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://codespark.com.
[9]
Ann Colley, Zazie Todd, Matthew Bland, Michael Holmes, Nuzibun Khanom, and Hannah Pike. 2004. Style and content in e-mails and letters to male and female friends. Journal of Language and Social Psychology 23, 3 (2004), 369–378.
[10]
National Research Council 2011. Report of a workshop on the pedagogical aspects of computational thinking. National Academies Press, Washington, DC.
[11]
Cubetto. 2022. Cubetto. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.primotoys.com/.
[12]
Yateland Learning Games for Kids Limited. 2022. Dinosaur Coding Games for Kids. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dinosaur-coding-games-for-kids/id1461434864.
[13]
Catherine Hill, Christianne Corbett, and Andresse St Rose. 2010. Why so few? Women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.AAUW, 1111 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC.
[14]
Kristen Lee Hourigan. 2021. Girls Try, Boys Aim High: Exposing Difference in Implied Ability, Activity, and Agency of Girls Versus Boys in Language on McDonald’s Happy Meal Boxes. Sex Roles 84, 7 (2021), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01173-7
[15]
Adventures in Coding The Rocket Cupcake Co.2022. goldieblox. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goldieblox-adventures-in-coding-the-rocket-cupcake-co/id1112690545.
[16]
iRobot. 2022. Root Robotics. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.irobot.com/en_US/root.html.
[17]
D. Ivy and P. Backlund. 2004. GenderSpeak: Personal Effectiveness in Gender Communication. McGraw-Hill Companies,Incorporated.
[18]
Fern Johnson and Karren Young. 2002. Gendered voices in children’s television advertising. Critical Studies in Media Communication 19, 4 (Dec 2002), 461–480. https://doi.org/10.1080/07393180216572
[19]
Susan G. Kahlenberg and Michelle M. Hein. 2010. Progression on Nickelodeon? Gender-Role Stereotypes in Toy Commercials. Sex Roles 62, 11-12 (June 2010), 830–847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-009-9653-1
[20]
Code Karts. 2022. Code Karts. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/code-karts-pre-coding-logic/id1222704761.
[21]
KIBO. 2022. KIBO Home Edition. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://kinderlabrobotics.com/kibo-home-edition/.
[22]
Learny Land. 2022. Code Land. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://learnyland.com/code-land/.
[23]
Lightbot. 2022. Hour of Code. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://lightbot.com/hour-of-code.html.
[24]
Coding Critters: MagicCoder. 2022. Coding Critters: Skye the Unicorn. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.learningresources.com/item-coding-critters-magicoders-skye.
[25]
Coding Critters: MagicCoders. 2022. Coding Critters: Blazer the Dragon. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.learningresources.com/item-coding-critters-magicoders-blazer.
[26]
Makeblock. 2022. Nextmaker. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://store.makeblock.com/products/nextmaker-stem-box-for-education.
[27]
Carol Lynn Martin, Lisa Eisenbud, and Hilary Rose. 1995. Children’s Gender-Based Reasoning about Toys. Child Development 66, 5 (Oct 1995), 1453. https://doi.org/10.2307/1131657
[28]
Carol Lynn Martin and Charles F. Halverson. 1981. A Schematic Processing Model of Sex Typing and Stereotyping in Children. Child Development 52, 4 (December 1981), 1119. https://doi.org/10.2307/1129498
[29]
Carol Lynn Martin and Diane Ruble. 2004. Children’s Search for Gender Cues: Cognitive Perspectives on Gender Development. Current Directions in Psychological Science 13, 2 (April 2004), 67–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.00276.x
[30]
Matalab. 2022. Lite Robot. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://matatalab.com/en/lite.
[31]
Nora McDonald, Sarita Schoenebeck, and Andrea Forte. 2019. Reliability and inter-rater reliability in qualitative research: Norms and guidelines for CSCW and HCI practice. Proceedings of the ACM on human-computer interaction 3, CSCW (2019), 1–23.
[32]
Mochi. 2022. Learn with Mochi. Retrieved September 14, 2022 from https://learnwithmochi.com/.
[33]
MoreChinese. 2022. Code Kingdom: Treasures. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://apps.apple.com/us/app/code-kingdom-treasure/id1178961848.
[34]
Matthew L. Newman, Carla J. Groom, Lori D. Handelman, and James W. Pennebaker. 2008. Gender Differences in Language Use: An Analysis of 14,000 Text Samples. Discourse Processes 45, 3 (2008), 211–236.
[35]
Osmo. 2022. Coding Games for Kids. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.playosmo.com/en/shopping/kits/coding/.
[36]
Patricia R Owen and Monica Padron. 2015. The language of toys: Gendered language in toy advertisements. Journal of Research on Women and Gender 6, 1 (2015), 67–80.
[37]
Greta Eleen Pennell. 1994. Babes in Toyland: Learning an Ideology of Gender. ACR North American Advances 21 (1994), 359–364. https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/5972/volumes/v21/NA-21
[38]
PlayShifu. 2022. Tacto Coding. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.playshifu.com/tacto/coding.
[39]
Playzusa. 2022. Playzusa Coding Computer Science Kit. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://playzusa.com/products/playz-my-first-coding-computer-science-kit-learn-about-binary-codes-encryption-algorithms-pixelation-through-fun-puzzling-activities-without-using-a-computer-for-boys-girls-teenagers-kids.
[40]
The Washington Post. 2015. Target will stop labeling toys for boys or for girls. Good.Retrieved October 12, 2021 fromhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/08/13/target-will-stop-selling-toys-for-boys-or-for-girls-good/.
[41]
The Washington Post. 2021. Lego pledges to make toys more gender-neutral and eliminate stereotypes after global survey. Retrieved October 12, 2021 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/10/12/lego-eliminates-gender-bias-stereotypes/.
[42]
Quercetti. 2022. Rami Code. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.quercettistore.com/products/rami-code-gioco-logica.
[43]
Raywer. 2022. RC Robot. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.amazon.com/Raywer-Projects-Controlled-Building-Birthday/dp/B09P6SQ1YW/ref=sr_1_218?keywords=coding+toys&qid=1655430468&refinements=p_n_age_range%3A165813011%7C165890011%7C165936011&rnid=165794011&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-218.
[44]
Robobloq. 2022. Coding express. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.robobloq.com/product/coding-express.
[45]
scrachjr. 2022. ScrachJr. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.scratchjr.org/.
[46]
Sphero. 2022. Robot Soccer Game. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://sphero.com/products/mini-soccer.
[47]
Sphero. 2022. Sphero Indi. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://sphero.com/products/indi-student-kit.
[48]
Botzees Toys. 2022. Botzees Coding and AR Robotics Kit. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://botzeestoys.com/products/botzees-robotics-botzees-classic.
[49]
Hanns M. Trautner, Diane N. Ruble, Lisa Cyphers, Barbara Kirsten, Regina Behrendt, and Petra Hartmann. 2005. Rigidity and flexibility of gender stereotypes in childhood: developmental or differential?Infant and Child Development 14, 4 (Nov 2005), 365–381. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.399
[50]
Diane M Turner-Bowker. 1996. Gender stereotyped descriptors in children’s picture books: Does “Curious Jane” exist in the literature?Sex roles 35 (1996), 461–488.
[51]
Tynker. 2022. Tynker Junior. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.tynker.com/mobile/apps/tynker-junior.
[52]
Purdue University. 2021. Purdue Engineering Gift Guide 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2022 from https://engineering.purdue.edu/INSPIRE/EngineeringGiftGuide/2021.
[53]
Erica S. Weisgram. 2016. The Cognitive Construction of Gender Stereotypes: Evidence for the Dual Pathways Model of Gender Differentiation. Sex Roles 75, 7-8 (Oct 2016), 301–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0624-z
[54]
Erica S. Weisgram, Megan Fulcher, and Lisa M. Dinella. 2014. Pink gives girls permission: Exploring the roles of explicit gender labels and gender-typed colors on preschool children’s toy preferences. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 35, 5 (Sep 2014), 401–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2014.06.004
[55]
Wonder Workshop. 2022. Dash, Cue, Dot. Retrieved September 12, 2022 from https://www.makewonder.com/robots/dash/.
[56]
Junnan Yu and Ricarose Roque. 2019. A Review of Computational Toys and Kits for Young Children. Int. J. Child-Comp. Interact. 21, C (sep 2019), 17–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcci.2019.04.001
Index Terms
- Examining Gendered Communications of Coding Kits for Young Children
Recommendations
Examining Gender-oriented Design Features in Computational Toys and Kits for Young Children
CHI '23: Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing SystemsComputational toys and apps, or coding kits, are the primary learning media for young children to engage in Computational Thinking concepts and skills. However, how coding kits are designed to welcome children of different genders remains unclear, a ...
Parental Mediation for Young Children’s Use of Educational Media: A Case Study with Computational Toys and Kits
CHI '21: Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing SystemsParental mediation literature is mostly situated in the contexts of television, Internet use, video games, and mobile devices, while there is less understanding of how parents mediate their children’s engagement with educational-focused media. We ...
A survey of computational kits for young children
IDC '18: Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Interaction Design and ChildrenThis paper presents a survey of computational kits that enable young children (ages 7 years old and under) to explore computing ideas and practices. We examined physical, virtual, and hybrid kits across three different perspectives: how they are designed,...
Comments
Information & Contributors
Information
Published In
June 2023
824 pages
ISBN:9798400701313
DOI:10.1145/3585088
Copyright © 2023 Owner/Author.
Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the Owner/Author.
Sponsors
Publisher
Association for Computing Machinery
New York, NY, United States
Publication History
Published: 19 June 2023
Check for updates
Author Tags
Qualifiers
- Extended-abstract
- Research
- Refereed limited
Conference
IDC '23
Sponsor:
Acceptance Rates
Overall Acceptance Rate 172 of 578 submissions, 30%
Contributors
Other Metrics
Bibliometrics & Citations
Bibliometrics
Article Metrics
- 0Total Citations
- 100Total Downloads
- Downloads (Last 12 months)56
- Downloads (Last 6 weeks)1
Reflects downloads up to 03 Sep 2024
Other Metrics
Citations
View Options
Get Access
Login options
Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.
Sign inFull Access
View options
View or Download as a PDF file.
PDFeReader
View online with eReader.
eReaderHTML Format
View this article in HTML Format.
HTML Format