Abstract
This study attempts to explore and discuss preschool teachers' perception of gender differences in young children through their verbal expression. The teachers (Study I, n — 121, Study II, n = 31) in this study perceive female preschoolers as positive and sensitive learners. While many learner qualities such as inventive, problem-solver, builder, hands-on, questioning, etc. are identified more often for boys than girls, overall the teachers' perception of the boys' group is less "teachable" and "easy to work with" than the girls group. In addition, one of the most intriguing and concerning observations is that girls are perceived as "passive learners" and therefore they are more "teachable" than boys. As implications of the study, the paper discusses an important understanding of gender-fair and gender-congruent pedagogical awareness for developmentally and culturally appropriate practice in early childhood education.