No doubt, some of you are thinking- of course they learn differently. Their brains are wired differently! I had the privilege of hearing from a leading authority on this topic last week at the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) annual fall conference. Michael Gurian, pioneer on gender differences, brings together neuro-biology and brain research into schools and homes. He is the author of 28 books, and co-founded the Gurian Institute that conducts research internationally, pilots programs and trains professionals. I could not write fast enough as he spoke and left the conference with one of his books in hand (Boys and Girls Learn Differently: A Guide for Teachers and Parents). And you better believe I am working to see if we can bring him to Annie Wright to talk with our community. Today I want to share with you some of the nuggets of information from his talk and his book (and I am only into the first few chapters) that made a deep impression on me. *For any neuroscientists reading this, please excuse my lay person summary. Also, there are as many brains in the world as there are people. Generally, girls lean toward the female brains and boys toward the male. However, some people have "bridge brains" and have nearly equal qualities of both male and female brains.
- The language centers of the male brain are found in the left hemisphere, as opposed to the female brain where both the right and left hemispheres have language centers. The female language centers run in channels throughout, enabling girls to connect to language (written, oral, etc.) quickly and easily. As well, they connect words to feelings and previous experiences quickly and deeply as well. In contrast, the language centers in the male brain are only on one side and look more like splotches. Therefore, information does not travel in the same way or to the same place.
- The right hemisphere of the male brain is where the spatial and mechanical centers are located. Because of this, boys learn best with movement and things in motion. Boys are active in their learning and naturally oriented to body movement, which serves to further develop their spatial abilities and right hemisphere brain development. In the classroom or at home, this can quite literally look like boys taking up a lot of space. Boys tend to do better with three dimensional and abstract reasoning.
- In a rest or boredom state, the male brain is largely inactive. Body movement, pencil tapping, and rocking in chairs are some things boys may do to wake their brains up. In comparison, the female brain in the same state of rest or boredom is still quite active. The female brain is never truly at rest. The upside is a high capacity for learning by being consistently engaged. The downside is the potential for rumination of thoughts and being stuck in a mental loop.
- Females tend to see better in low light, males in bright light. Females also hear better than males, often leading people to raise their voices more often with males.
- Females tend to be better at controlling impulsive behavior, and are also less likely to take moral risks than boys.
- Girls may be likely to try and manage social bonds in a group situation through egalitarian relationships, whereas boys might manage things socially through dominance or working his way to the top of the pecking order.
- Males tend to tackle situations with a task focused response, leaving much of his brain untouched and managing stimulation by "sticking to a plan." It is a quick and direct route to accomplishing a goal, but can end in frustration if things don't go as planned. Females, on the other hand, respond to things in a more complex way, processing more emotive stimulants, through more senses and more completely. I enjoyed this video on the different way males and females respond- It's Not About the Nail.
- Under stress, hormones play out differently for females and males. In females, oxytocin (known as the "tend and befriend" hormone) levels soar, pushing females to get help and make choices that please others and maintain relationships. In males under stress, testosterone levels soar, bringing out a "flight or flight" response potentially seen as aggression, competitiveness and/or self-assertion and self-reliance.
Check out this link to six keys to school success for boys.
http://gurianinstitute.com/wordpress/6-keys-to-school-success-dr-ed-dixon/
Take care!
