Under the draft guidelines created by Education Scotland, NHS boards and the Scottish Government, children will be told in classrooms that “Your gender is what you decide.”

The guidelines are set to take effect in 2019, they say: “Your sex is what you are told by a doctor when you are born. Most people are told they are a male child (a boy) or a female child (a girl). People might think they know your gender because of the clothes you wear or the things you like to do. You are a unique person, you know who you are.” 

However, experts have warned that the plans risk confusing young children before they are ready to understand gender and identity.

Dr Amanda Gummer, child psychologist, said: “For most kids, this isn’t a concern at this age. Playing with toys and who sits beside them at lunch is what they care about. At ages five to eight, things are black and white. Many don’t have the cognitive skills to understand this.”

Politicians have also spoken out over the draft guidelines.

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: “It’s right that we teach children about gender diversity and the meaning of these terms. However, many parents might feel this is too young for their children to learn about it.”

The Christian Institute (CI) has also threatened legal action against the Scottish Government guidelines on supporting transgender children and consent to discuss transgender choices with a child’s family.

According to a report by the Scottish Public Health Network, the number of NHS referrals for young people, which can lead to them being offered drugs to stall the onset of puberty, increased by 21% in 2017 compared with the previous year, from 183 to 222. In 2014 the figure was just 63. 

The average age of children being offered help with gender identity issues has fallen from 15 in 2014 to 13.8 in 2017, with referrals accepted for Scots as young as six, as awareness of transgender issues continues to grow.

Unity News Network now has its own online shop where 10% of poppy sale proceeds will be donated to veterans charities while all profits are REINVESTED in our news site bringing you the best UK news ignored by the mainstream media. Check it out here: