Studies show there are real differences between boys and girls in terms of brain chemistry, maturation and how they learn best. Technologies such as PET scans and MRIs have already found “at least 100 differences in male and female brains,” and there are likely more discoveries to come.
Seriously, knowing your child’s learning style will make all the difference in how they retain information.
The following information uncovers some key insights into boys and how they learn:
Reasoning
Brain-based research shows that there are major differences between boys and girls in terms of reasoning and brain development, which leads to differences in general understanding of concepts as well as test-taking abilities.
- Boys “tend toward symbolic texts, diagrams, and graphs” that “stimulate the right hemisphere, which is where many boys are more developed.”
- They typically use abstract and deductive reasoning to reach conclusions, meaning that they are able to learn a general concept and then apply that concept to other individual cases.
- Boys’ proficiency in deductive reasoning leads to greater success on multiple choice tests, particularly those where answering questions quickly is an advantage, like the SAT.
Movement
In order to learn most effectively, boys must stay active, engaged and motivated.
- Staying active is an integral piece of effective learning for boys. “Movement seems to help boys not only stimulate their brains, but also manage and relieve impulsive behavior.”
- Movement increases blood flow to the limbic region of the brain, allowing boys to process emotions and reduce stress.
- “Physical exercise is essential for… boys. It helps calm them, helps them sleep at night, and helps them perform learning tasks.”
Structure
A highly structured and action-packed day keeps boys’ minds alert and active.
- Daily structure helps stimulate motivation, goal-orientation and time management skills. In fact, the highly structured, full-day schedules of top boarding schools and military academies can be particularly beneficial
- Task-oriented work and active interaction with learning materials increase the amount of information absorbed by boys’ brains.
- A structured plan gives a boy’s brain a direct route to a goal, managing stimulation from other sources and increasing focus.
- Calendars can be useful tools for boys since they provide visual and spatial representations of what they need to accomplish and how much time they have to complete the task.
Motivation
Boys tend to get bored more easily than girls.
- The male brain literally requires a “recharge” between tasks, meaning that the brain goes into a rest state before moving on to something new.
- “Boys require more and varying stimulants to keep them attentive” and to decrease the length of time that the brain is at rest.
- Focusing on a goal maintains boys’ concentration and paves the way for success both in school and in life beyond the classroom.
Teams
Both boys and girls can benefit from working on teams through learning about cooperation and teamwork.
- Boys differ from girls because they tend to “[pick] leaders quickly and [focus] right away on goal orientation.”
- When supervised carefully, teams can be used to promote healthy competition, which often serves as strong motivation for boys to learn and succeed.
- “Boys tend to work out codes among themselves and within their own cognitive processes, and rely on coded language to communicate,” which strengthens the bond within a team, while increasing learning through the use of symbolism and abstract thinking.
Boys Do Learn Differently
In summary, boys follow a unique learning curve, one that can be significantly enhanced in an environment that appreciates the differences between genders. A setting that recognizes the cognitive, emotional and social processes which motivate boys to reach their full potential is the optimal learning environment for boys.
Boy Learning Fun:
Need some tried and true educational resources that your boys are sure to lap up? Here are a few things that I have pulled together just for those “typical boys” in my house!
- LEGO Play: Fun Learning for Fun
- Best Reading Games for Boys
- Best Books for Boys
- Cool Math Games for Boys
- Pokemon Coloring Pages for Boys
- Letter of the Week Preschool Crafts
Recommended Resources:
I recommend the following additional reading resources to help you understand your boy’s brain more!
- The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons From Falling Behind in School and Life
- Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons
- Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men
Boy Parenting Tips for Mom:
You might also get a kick out of one of these posts…
- Are You Raising Teddy Bears?
- Things Moms of Teenage Boys Say!
- The discipline method used for over a decade by a Mom of 5 boys!
Lisa Rios says
I very much agree that there is a huge difference in the way boys & girls learn and the way they adopt to learning something new. These are some great information on the learning patterns of boys, so it might help someone know much better.
Bites for Babies says
AS a teacher, I can say that this is very accurate. Although there are always exceptions to the rules, all of these seem to apply to the boys in my class!
Marielle Altenor says
This is quite interesting. For years I only had a boy but now I have a little girl. I wonder how different the two will be.
CourtneyLynne says
Oooo now this is pretty interesting! I don’t have a boy, only a little girl, but year, makes total sense that girls and boys lean differently
Shaney Vijendranath (youbabyandi) says
This post is giving me a glimpse of the future. My son is only 5 months old but I can already see his personality. Very different compared to my daughter.
Angela K says
wow this was such an amazing read. I don’t have any kids but this is def something my sister needs to read. Thank you so much for this share!
ricci says
I don’t have kids but I do have a little brother and sister and I can tell you just from watching them that it really does seem like boys learn at a slower pace than girls. He is just as smart as she is but it seems like it just took him a little longer to get there?
Cathy says
I completely agree! I have seen my son learn differently than my daughter! One of my fave things about the learning process is to see their faces light up when they finally understand something that has been a challenge for them!
Cathy
Kathy says
I don’t have any boys, so I wouldn’t know a whole lot about this. I have two daughters though. I think everyone learns differently no matter what. I remember not being to well with a certain math class, but once I had a different teacher I got all A’s in the class. I think a lot has to do with the way we’re taught things too.
Claudia Krusch says
I think they do learn differently and their skills and focus shifts too! So I’m always helping my son with school work!
Christine Boulware says
Having raised a son, I know this to be true….I hope it will be helpful to all those amazing Moms/parents to raise fine young men!
Tammilee Tips says
What a great breakdown on how it is different. My friend was just talking about this with her son how different his school experience has been from her daughters for learning.
Ryan Escat says
Such a good job! I’m so glad that your son had fun. I think this is the number one problem of all parents.
Rebecca Swenor says
This is indeed amazing information about how boys learn different than girls. These are all great resources to help the boys learn. I am going to have to share this with my niece and sister for their little men. Thanks for sharing the information
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey says
I do see differences between girls and boys, with my 3 boys compared to my nieces. These post would be very helpful for the mother of boys.
Up Run for Life says
My oldest son has ADHD and I know that he struggles with school. He is getting better now that he is a teenager. I do see a huge difference between him and my daughter.
My youngest hasn’t gone to school so I don’t have a clue how he will tolerate sitting still all day at school. He is laid back though.
Christie says
I love that you not only provide the differences, but great resources for parents as well. This is a great read for a mom of boys
Miles L. says
I have also notice the difference between the learning processes of each gender. I am happy to know about this.
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
This is such interesting information! I feel like ALL kids really need to be taught the way that works for them, especially in early years. I feel like boys and girls really do learn differently and the more we learn and share in that knowledge, the more we’re doing to create a better future!
Alyssa @ The Plucky Introvert says
As one of two with a brother, I can totally confirm this, especially the part about him needing a break while trying to focus. I could always just read and read or sit and do the same thing, but he always needed a break.
Chubskulit Rose says
I definitely agree with al of these. I have a girl and a boy and my son is smart too but he gets bored so easily.
Jeanette says
I can definitely say my son learns differently then the little girl I watch. There are things that he knows a whole lot better than she does and then there are things that she knows a whole lot better than he does.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That was an interesting read. I always knew my son seemed to process his information different from the girls, but I wasn’t sure why. Thanks for this!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
It really is. I know all kids are different, but as the mom of all boys who volunteers in their classrooms, I see it first hand.
sherrin stanbrook says
that was great learnt more about my boy who is struggling with school thanks so much.
Kelli D. says
First off, I’m sure we could be best friends since you are another “Kelli with an i” 😉 AND I live in Alabama. I’m just not lucky enough to live by the coast!
I just wanted to thank you for this post. I have twins, boy/girl, and the girl is the typical girl – doing great in school, no problems. But with my precious boy, he’s much as described above. We are struggling in public school (3rd grade 9 years old). My husband and I are decided that we will begin homeschool at some point in the future. I really think my son would benefit from the one-on-one instruction as well as my husband’s input in how to help my son learn. He had pretty much the same struggles as my son and it took him 17 years to get his GED after high school. But I do worry how I will do as his teacher. I’m too much of a push-over some times.
What curriculums/strategies do you recommend for active boys, who struggle with reading/spelling/memorizing multiplication facts? Any advice you can give would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Your new best friend Kelli D. 😉
Kelli Miller says
I pulled my oldest out in the 2nd grade and homeschooled him for years. He just wasn’t doing well in the classroom setting. I have several ideas for getting those sight words in the younger crowd, but nothing for the older boys. Give me a week or so to pull some things together! My wheels are spinning with ideas. 🙂 Thanks bunches!!
Jenn says
I recently read a fantastic book on this subject. “Boys Adrift” by Leonard Sax ( he is a medical doctor, and he also has his masters in psychology). He cites many studies that have been done on how boys learn best. In my opinion, its a “must read” for anyone with boys.
Ntokozo says
Thanks for the recommendation. Just got the book.
stephanie says
Hello from Boy Mama Teacher Mama and the After School Linky. Love what you shared here. Going to hop over to your FB page right now and like your page. Thanks for sharing at After School!
Terri says
This is excellent! I am a teacher of blind and visually impaired students, but have an emphasis in literacy. I’ve long thought that boys and the way they learn are so different from girls and so different from how they’re taught in schools. Good for you posting this. I learned a lot.
Caitlin says
Thank you for your insight. As a mother of four boys, I found it a great refresher on remembering the unique way they look at the world. Homework is such a struggle for my son and I’m always trying to enthuse him, it’s so good to be reminded that his brain is wired to receive information best in a hands on method. (Although he is most keen to get it over and done with in the quickest way possible!)
Christa says
I have a son with autism who is mainstreamed and these principle totally apply to him. I just wish schools and teachers would embrace this. My son gets to have more breaks and physical activity in school because of his IEP, but not all boys do. Thanks for sharing your information.
Kelli Miller says
Christa, as the Mother of 3 boys, one who is also in the Autism Spectrum (with an IQ pushing 150) it is amazing to me that in the learning environment, the differences between “just plain boys” and “boys with disabilities” the differences are really not all that great. Boys are boys no matter what other label we put on them. LOL!
So glad that these tips can help you and your Son!
karen says
I am a reading specialist and special education teacher and I love your post. Many years ago I took a workshop on books and the differences between boys and girls. It was interesting and now important since I have a son. Between working with students and seeing how the boys and girls interact at daycare, there is a big difference. Going to pin this babe. thanks.
Lisa Reinsch-Johnson says
Thank you for the information and inspiration…
http://lisa.voidcast.ca/?p=28997
Lisa
Leandra Cate says
Hi there! I enjoyed the post above. But I don’t see any references? I have definitely come across this ‘boys learn differently’ idea many times in the mere 18 months that I have been a parent. I would love to read the actual research that supports this idea. We rarely hear if there is a specific age group to which this applies or how these differences might help us figure out how to teach girls. If you know of an evidence based book on this topic or a specific study that supports these conclusions, I would be so grateful to see it. Thanks!
Amanda says
Thanks for these tips. I do homework every morning with my 6yr old boy. Afterschool is a bust, there’s no hope of concentration and every promise of a meltdown. I am going to try and find ways to help him read and learn his numbers by moving. This very subdued mamma needs to find a way to be engaging. lol.
Nanette Muth says
Try having him play hopscotch. He’ll move and learn his numbers and have fun all at the same time. Change the numbers each time you play in sets of 10. When he masters the first set of 10 move on to the second set and so forth.
Debbie says
Wow. You just nailed my 9 year old son. In my first year of home schooling, I have noticed all of the above learning patterns. Thanks for helping me understand why.
Kelli Miller says
Absolutely! 🙂 How are things going with your homeschooling adventures now?
'Becca says
I’m a developmental psychologist. I work in research on boys, but I also was a Girl Scout leader for many years, so I worked with a lot of girls from different backgrounds.
The information you have here is likely to be very helpful to parents who are having trouble understanding how to work with their boys, in particular to mothers with a typical female style who have sons with a typical male style.
However, it’s important to realize that “typical of boys” and “unique to boys” are not the same thing. Yes, these are traits that are more common in boys than in girls, but not all boys have these traits, and some girls do have these traits. In particular, I’ve seen the strategies under “structure” be wildly effective with girls who have trouble focusing or seem lost about how to approach a task.
So I think it’s important for parents of both boys and girls to read this with an open mind: “Is this my child? Do we need to make some changes to help him/her learn and manage better?”
Kelli Miller says
Ah, but as a Mom of all boys who isn’t overly girly, I can only go by what I know. 😉 I agree, I have seen some girls that would benefit 100% with these suggestions, though. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and weigh in with your expertise. 🙂
Lori Moritz says
Your Posts Are Really Intriguing! I am Having Some Challenges With My Six YeaR Old Son In Terms Of Teamwork And Motivation. he Does See PT And OT For Sensory Issues And Social Delays. I Was Wondering If You Had Any Tips Or References You could Recommend To Help Me Understand Ans Help My Son?