Gender Differences

GENDER LEARNING

DIFFERENCES

I grew up as the eldest of four girls, and now I am the mother of three boys. Without a doubt, I can clearly state that boys and girls learn differently. I even observed this significant difference during my first year as a teacher. I was so intrigued by gender learning differences that this topic was my second choice for my thesis in graduate school.

If you have a son, please take time to read the following books. Our boys will face quite a battle-ground in their lives. Here are some astounding facts about boys to prove it:

•Eighty percent of classroom discipline problems are caused by boys.

•Over three-fourths of schoolchildren on Ritalin or similar drugs are boys.

•Eighty percent of learning disabled students are boys, and ninety percent of children labeled with behavioral problems are boys.

•According to the U.S. Department of Education, boys are an average of 12 to 18 months behind girls in reading and writing skills.

•Eighty percent of all high school dropouts are boys.

Dr. Dobson’s Bringing Up Boys gives practical advice for parents who are shaping the next generation of men. Boys are different, but with society's pressure to be gender neutral, many try to mold children into a one-size-fits-all model. Dr. Dobson explains why boys are the way they are, how to understand their emotional and physical development, and the best way to motivate them to become godly men.

The Minds of Boys by Michael Gurian and Kathy Stevens explores the research on the differences between the male and the female brain that account for their differences in conforming to current teaching methods. It shows parents and teachers how to help boys overcome their current classroom obstacles by creating the proper learning environment and using their unique natural gifts, which enables them to succeed in school.

Tamara's little man

rides on to learning!