What is it like being a man in early childhood?

This podcast episode is the first in a series focused around men in early years.

An honest, reflective account of what it is like for a man to work in early years. Kevin Nelson shares his personal journey, including the honest truths in the podcast episode. Kevin also poses ideas of how we can encourage more men to choose the early years as a career, or even a stepping stone.

To read Kevin's article visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-it-like-being-a-man-in-early-childhood/

Support for men:

To support men in early childhood further, we have partnered with Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs as part of this episode and ongoing podcast series on 'men in early childhood'.

Male Childcare and Teaching Jobs advocate for greater male participation in education and caregiving roles, offering support and guidance to enhance gender inclusion in nurseries and schools.
To find out more visit: https://malechildcareandteachingjobs.co.uk/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to listen to 'Advocacy, agency and rights in early childhood' - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/advocacy-agency-and-rights-in-early-childhood/

Episode break down:

00:00 - The same questions, the same answers
01:50 - Are we missing something?
02:50 - The stigma associated with working in early years
04:35 - 'I was called a paedophile'
06:30 - 'Banter' and toxic masculinity
09:20 - Inside the football changing room: There's no barriers
10:40 - Skills taken into early years from football
11:20 - Do we value men in early years for who they are?
12:35 - The cultural capital you bring with you
13:40 - Creating unity within the workplace
15:00 - Similarities between football and early years
17:00 - Men take longer to mature
19:10 - What is developmentally appropriate for young men?
21:00 - The career options with early years
23:30 - Men being promoted: We need to celebrate this
25:40 - How can men empathise women if they don't work with them?
26:20 - Personal growth through working with women
27:10 - Working with empowering and inspiring women in early years
30:30 - 'My mum is my absolute hero'
31:30 - Appreciating and empathising with women
34:20 - If you want to develop empathy, work in the early years!
36:40 - Early years gives you a clearer look at life
38:00 - Giving men safe spaces to be vulnerable and open up
41:40 - Sharing personal journeys
43:20 - 'I was told not to change nappies'
46:50 - Having to 'prove yourself' as a man in early years
48:15 - A supportive team around you
49:25 - So...how DO we recruit more men into early years?
51:30 - Becoming a first time dad: The lack of support for men
52:35 - The vast skills men develop from working in early years: Personal and professional
53:40 - Advocating for men in early years
56:40 - Having more of these conversations outside of early years too

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com