Why do girls do better in school than boys? Does it have to do with the way they are socialized?

What are little boys made of?

Slugs and snails

And puppy-dogs’ tails,

That’s what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice

And everything nice,

That’s what little girls are made of.

Do you remember this nursery rhyme?

Today, in our politically correct world it would most likely be thought to be sexist.

But guess what?

Boys and girls behave differently because they are very different – not only in how they look physically or are socialized, but also in the set-up of their brains.

Educational researcher, Michael Gurian, suggests that there is a crisis in classrooms, today – in all 35 industrialized countries.

Neurobiologists have discovered over 100 structural differences between boys’ and girls’ brains.

School learning systems are set up to favor the way girls’ brains work.

Hence, the crisis.

• Boys receive two-thirds of the Ds and Fs given in any class.
• 80 – 90% of the discipline cases sent to the principal are boys.

Because their brains are set up differently, boys will respond or react differently to directions, commands, and situations that occur in the classroom.

What are some of those differences?

1. Girls have verbal centers in both hemispheres of their brain, whereas boys have only half as many in one hemisphere.
2. Boys have 20 – 30% more spatial-mechanical centers especially in the right hemisphere than girls, consequently, they are more into moving objects in space and demonstrating physical activity when relating to others.
3. There are different pathways of blood flow.
4. Boys’ brains enter a rest state (shuts off) more times per day than girls’ making them appear inattentive and bored.
5. The memory center in boys’ brains is less active, especially during most emotional and relational experiences.

Boys’ brains develop by:

• Moving around
• Talking
• Doing things

Considering these findings, when the predominant direction during times of teaching is “sit still,” “read,” and “write” aren’t we setting up our boys to fail?

When they seek to move around and engage in aggressive play, why are boys labeled ADHD?

Here are some tips Michael Gurian gave to facilitate success in school:

1. Use lots of pictures to help boys remember words.
2. Give them choice in 50% of the books they must read.
3. Have them draw before they write on any topic.
4. Let them manipulate a squeeze ball while listening and working.
5. Allow them some movement in their area before writing assignments.

Their brains may be different, but our boys and girls are equally important…to our families, our communities, and our future.

My firm belief is that you, parents, are the catalyst that will help transform your child’s school.

Many teachers do not know these findings. Do your research. Share it with them.

Your boys need you.

Be a strong advocate for them.

If you have a son or nephew, what will you do to help him succeed in school this term?