NURSERY children as young as three should be taught about gender equality as part of the fight against domestic violence, according to campaigners.

Zero Tolerance, a Scottish charity working to end men’s violence against women, is sending its targeted tool kit for the early years – Just Like a Child – to every nursery in Glasgow in coming months and says it would like it to be made available to all child care professionals in Scotland.

The guide aims to raise awareness about how young children are subject to gender inequality and asks nursery staff to consider the systemic issue in their planning.

Suggestion for changing practice in the guide include allowing boys to express emotional upset and girls to be angry. It suggests that teachers try to create a more gender neutral space, using the term “children” instead of the more divisive “girls and boys” and avoid creating single sex lines or teams.

Girls should be encouraged to take part in physical play – to get sweaty and muddy – while boys should be allowed to dress up or play in the home corner.

Staff should ensure that “like a girl” is not used in a derogatory way and challenge gender norms through stories, role play and discussions, says the guide.

The charity also launched a survey this week asking parents of children under 10 for their views on gender equality, which has already attracted almost 1,000 responses. It is planning to create resources for parents based on the survey information in response to what it considers to be a growing demand for information and interest in the issue.

Liz Ely, development officer for Zero Tolerance said: “Violence is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality. This is about recognising that gender inequality starts really young. As soon as a baby is born we ask if it’s a girl or a boy.

“It is easy to fall into gender stereotypes – boys should be strong and we praise boys who don’t cry while praising girls for being pink and pretty. Even those who are very aware can easily fall into gender stereotypes. You see a girl in a pretty dress and it falls out of your mouth before you even think about that.”

Ely said that nursery staff who had already received the guide and associated training – first launched a year ago – had reacted positively. The response has led to new plans to send the guide to every nursery in Glasgow and it hopes to see it distributed further.

“I think people are becoming increasingly aware of this issue,” added Ely. “We’ve had a lot of interest and a big demand [for this type of input]. It would be fantastic if every nursery in Scotland could access the guide.”

The parental survey is the next step, according to Ely, who says that challenging stereotypes early means men in future generations will have more respect for women, while women will be aware of their rights and able to confidently call out violence.

“We need to create an environment where it is OK for boys to express their feelings and for girls to stand up for themselves without being considered bossy,” she added.

Recently high-profile campaigns such as Pink Stinks and Let Toys Be Toys have highlighted the pressures on young children to conform to gender stereotypes.

Lego has been criticised for moving away from the gender neutral construction bricks of the 1970s to brands marketed at girls such as Lego Friends, where slimmed down figures go shopping and eat ice cream. Lego City meanwhile, which is sold in blue packaging, features police and fire fighters. Other games, such as Monopoly have launched “pink” editions and parents have gone online to register their frustration about the difficulty of finding gender neutral toys and clothes from mainstream retailers.

Kara Brown, innovation co-ordinator of YWCA Scotland, said: “The thing that young women that we work with always tell us is that their early experiences – and what they are told by parents, peers, school and nursery – set the foundations of their views. So I think that we should working with children to promote gender equality as early as possible.

“Of course, we also need to tackle structural inequality. But wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could work with young children to install their belief in their potential, regardless of gender?”

Alys Mumford, communications and engagement officer for Engender, added: “We know from our own work that parents and childcare professionals are acutely aware of the gender roles which are forced on children, but often feel powerless to challenge them.

“Presumptions around the desires, abilities and suitable activities for boys and girls at a young age perpetuate damaging stereotypes and Zero Tolerance’s tool kit is a fantastic resource to enable anyone working with young children to tackle these head on.”

There is a growing interest in how gender stereotypes can influence children from a young age. Next Tuesday the Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre is screening a new film – Baby Steps to Gender – which is part of its campaign to end violence against women.

How to go gender neutral

ZERO Tolerance suggests you go gender neutral with your children’s toys, books and films.

Toys: Go Go Sports Dolls: www.gogosportsgirls.com

Promotes self-esteem for girls aged 3-12.

The Creativity Hub: www.thecreativityhub.com

Makes toys that encourage story telling. This includes pocket-sized story generator cubes which allow almost infinite combinations of castles, houses, animals and other images.

Books: www.amightygirl.com

An inspiring selection of books featuring girls in non-stereotyped roles are available from A Mighty Girl.

Films: My Neighbor Totoro: a magical story of two girls befriending a mysterious creature.

TV: Nina and the Neurons: Cbeebies programme about a female scientist.