Do all babies play the same way or does it depend on their gender?

[barbareebaa]

I think ds (11 months) is quite boisterous and so I was thinking typical boy but is that the case? Are all babies boisterous at this age or is it down to the individual rather than their gender?

Also do you think their toys determine the way they play? Are all children encouraged to bash stuff, knock stuff over, be noisy or is it just boys?

Am genuinely interested! Sorry if it is a daft question!

[thisisyesterday]

nope, i don't think it's down to gender i think it's down to each individual baby and their personality

ds1 was very laid back, very gentle, not at all boisterous.

ds2 was a total wildfire, he is very much a "typical boy" lol

ds3, so far seems a lot more like ds1, but we'll see!

[preggersslaysandchops]

I reckon its more down to personality rather than gender as well. DS's friends include boisterous boys, quite timid ones, feisty girls and more gentle girls. A complete mix.

I've never encouraged DS to go for particular toys but he is definitely more drawn to digging/mending/cars etc though.

[buy1get1free]

The age old question of 'Nature Vs Nurture'. I could dress my boys as princesses, let them watch sleeping beauty, give them a buggy to push, but they'd still want to knock the hell out of each other and use that bloody stick as a gun .... why, oh why ?!

[barbareebaa]

haha buy1get1free
I was thinking if ds had 'girls' toys would he just push those aroud the floor anyway like he does with his cars and trains and stuff.
Is it the behaviour or the toy that determines the play?
It seems that it is down to the individual. I wonder as well whether i encourage more boy type play - conform to the stereotype rough and tumble brrrrrrrrrrrrrm brrrrrrrm etc

[juuule]

No they don't all play the same way. But it's not dependent on gender, more on personality.

[RainRainGoAway]

My ds (age 2) is surounded by 'girlie' toys, barbies, dolls etc as my dd is a girlie girl. He however, is obsessed with cars.

So I was pleased when he picked up a barbie the other day.

And proceeded to fire it like a gun making 'pow pow' noises.