Parents at the New York Kids Club preschool in Manhattan have expressed outrage after a transgender-identifying substitute teacher read a book about gender identity to a class of three- and four-year-olds. The book, titled “It Feels Good to Be Yourself,” sparked concerns among parents who questioned whether the material was age-appropriate.
The incident occurred at the city-funded preschool when the teacher read aloud from the book to a class of 16 students. The book included passages like, “There are so many ways to be a boy or girl. Not everyone feels like either a boy or a girl.” The subject material led many children to go home and ask their parents questions, leading to debate among parents about the school’s decision to introduce the topic
Vivian Cialini, one of the parents, told PIX11, “Most of the parents were in shock and clueless of the decision that the school made,” said parent Viavian Cialini, according to PIX11.
“I believe it’s too early for them to understand. They barely have awareness of their body,” Cialini added. She went on to explain that while she supports inclusion, Cialini criticized the lack of transparency, stating, “We expressed they violated our rights as parents.”
Jennifer Clement, the CEO of New York Kids Club, responded to the backlash in a statement to PIX11, saying, “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.” The statement added that the school is working to “ensure that materials utilized align with the developmental needs of our students.”
Additionally, an email to parents was sent out where the administration emphasized the importance of inclusion. “We all agree that we would rather this have been communicated to our families beforehand and will ensure it takes place in the future,” it said.
