A parenting book — spearheaded by the BC government — teaches parents to understand the difference between assigned sex, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, and two-spirit..The book, titled “Toddler’s First Steps” targets parents with children aged six-to-36-months-old. It was first published more than 10 years ago and has gone through multiple iterations since, the most recent update occurring in 2021..Authored by the BC Ministry of Health, the book asserts most children will identify with the sex they were assigned at birth, however it says some children may switch between calling themselves a boy and girl, or avoid being labelled at all..“All children may express their identity in creative ways,” it reads..The book says assigned sex is attached to the baby at birth, but notes assigned sex isn’t always in-line with the child’s gender identity..“A child may identify as a boy or girl — or they may not identify as either,” the book reads, further highlighting that the child’s identity may not be consistent with their gender “expression.”.“Gender expression is not necessarily the same as gender identity. A boy may like to dress up in dresses, for example, but not identify as female,” it adds..The book also says a child’s gender identity may change over time..As for the ministry’s take on “two-spirit,” it makes a sharp pivot from unconstrained biological fluidity to a more confined, exclusive position..The term has been long-used by indigenous cultures. While it became increasingly adopted by white college-aged kids a few years ago — much to the distaste of many indigenous people — the ministry now says the term “can’t be personally used by someone who is non-indigenous,” and as per the book, it feels your toddler should know this too.
