I had been sitting for some time with Kaarin(4 years) at the science table. She had shown a sustained interest in exploring and experimenting with a range of materials. However, her rich descriptions of mixing oil and water were inter- rupted when Mick(5 years) joined us at the science table and sat between us. For Kaarin, Mick's"male' presence became a potential threat to being able to play with other girls Fiona(4 years) later in the day: