The conference at Mindstretchers in  Crieff was great! Kate was informative and kept us hooked all day

The conference was based around the development of a boy’s brain and how a boy interacts with the world around them as they grow.

Firstly, as much as I hate to admit it a boy’s brain develops at a slower rate then girls, although boys usually catch up by the age of 5/6

 The different chemical levels released by the body , oestrogen (feminine qualities) and testosterone (masculine qualities)  affect how a child reacts to different situations and learning experiences. At 4 years old boys have approx 20 times the level of testosterone in their bodies than girl affecting how they learn and react to differing situations.

By using the information gathered from the conference it has helped to developed my skills as a practitioner in how I look at learning experiences and how I can include this information. It’s still looking at the child as an individual  but going to a deeper level.

The conference looks at building learning experiences around the Childs sex, more hands on  action based and small group activities for boys, girl on the other hand tend to enjoy larger social situations,. There is more to it but I would be writing an essay if I started.

 I know this sounds like gender stereotyping but for some children this will work (We know there is never a hard and fast rule when it comes to children)

Our hands on activities for children in the Forest Kindergarten setting have proven that a different type of environment can change a child’s behaviour. When in the woodland setting our most rough and ready boys are calmer, less aggressive and more eager to learn. Using this different learning style with them has allowed them to access the same educational information but in a different way, boy’s concentration levels increase with and after physical activity. From the picture you can see by using sticks/ stones and other tactile natural materials in the woodland setting our rough and ready boys are engaged as opposed to brightly coloured blocks in the nursery at a table where they would be bored instantly.

 Using the Leuven Wellbeing and Involvement scales clearly shows a difference in a boy’s involvement in activities from a classroom setting to a woodland environment.

Using simple strategies when working with boys in particular can really make a difference

*Reward appropriate risk taking

*Speak clearly and always repeat instructions

*Short sentences

* Allow work in progress to be left for boys to go back to

*Talk next to boys, not face to face as this can cause anxiety

Heres some recommended reading to go along with this

The Cleverness of Boys (Book) Sally Featherstone & Ross Bayley

Eric & Diane Jenson (Brain based learning) www.jlcbrain.com

Carla Hannaford Phd (Brain Gym) www.braingym.org

Thanks again Marion, I really enjoyed this conference

Stephen

Stephen Whyteside

St Timothys Primary School & Nursery Class

Old Monkland Road

Coatbridge

Lanarkshire

ML55EA

Telephone 01236 757640