At MERGE, we envision a future where the  emotional and social development of boys – starting from an early age – is skillfully and compassionately supported by caregivers and educators.  As a result, boys thrive personally, socially and academically, and continue on this path to become men who are compassionate and accountable partners in safe and equitable families, work places and communities.

Curriculum Focus:  Understanding and analyzing the roots of male gender socialization, exposing gender stereotypes, and teaching strategies which foster the development of emotionally and socially connected boys. The training will expose harmful gender norms and stereotypes, along with fostering the development of gender-responsive knowledge, attitudes and practices in early childhood.   This transformational training is experiential and dialogue based, including individual, small group and large group formats.

Training Audience:   Educators and allied professionals in early childhood (age 0-5), school-age education (age 6-10), child care and family services, children's librarians, home visitation, and higher education programs that credential early childhood educators.   In addition, we offer an introduction for Parents.

This class is approved by the MAAEYC and participants can earn .5 CEUs or 5 training hours by completing the training.

Delivered online:   Now, during Covid 19 Pandemic protections, we are offering this training online in three sessions.  This session series can be delivered in one day, on three successive days, or on another schedule.

Follow up consultation and coaching for learning fidelity:   We offer customized consultations, which we term Coaching, to Early Childhood Educators and Agencies who have already attended our Developing Healthy Boys training.  We propose three weekly small group conversations reflecting on real world classroom experiences, with reference to the training principles and materials.

Parents Included:  Also online, our parent education workshop provides an introductory conversation about the challenges in healthy male socialization. Operating from the premise that parents and teachers working together will greatly enhance the likelihood of boys developing in healthy ways, we bring parents together to share key elements of the training and answer questions that arise. 

Our partners: In partnership with three leading early childhood agencies in Springfield, MA – Head Start, Square One and Preschool Enrichment Team – we have created a program based on the specific needs of, and challenges facing, early childhood educators.

Learning outcomes: This transformational training is experiential and dialogue based, including individual, small group and large group formats.

1. Participants understand how boys typically learn about gender and ways that commonly used masculinity norms and stereotypes harm boys.
2. Participants are able to explain the ‘cycle of male socialization’ and understand what is and is not healthy for boys’ development.
3. Participants are able to support boys feeling comfortable and accepted when feeling and behaving in ways that do not conform to rigid masculinity norms and stereotypes.
4. Participants understand the co-constructive storytime model when reading books with children.
5. Participants are able to use children’s books to promote healthy gender development and a safe learning environment for boys.