Boys and Girls Brains
INTRODUCTION
Most Universities offer classes for aspiring teachers in the theories behind education, classroom management, lesson plan writing and the history of education. All of these classes and subjects are relevant in their own rights but one class that isn’t often offered is the differences between boy and girl brain development and what that means to education. Even when a fetus is formed, there are biological differences happening from day one that will create either a boy or a girl and will determine numerous differences between them. This research is important and extremely relevant to understanding why boys are the way that they are and learn in the way that they do. Girls have traits that are tremendously different than boys and with the knowledge of this research, a teacher can tailor his/her instruction to fit all of the learning needs of their students.
Neurological Differences Between Boys and Girls According to Gurian, Stevens, and King (2008b), the differences begin at conception when a Y chromosome is present or not present, determining the sex of the fetus. When a Y chromosome is received, a male system begins with a secretion of testosterone resulting in a higher capacity for muscle mass as well as different calcium and iron ratios. Female offspring will also receive testosterone but in a smaller amount due to the estrogen-type hormones being released in her blood stream. These chemical differences affect the brain development and although they aren’t the only factors influencing how the brain will expand, they are the building blocks for future brain growth (Wasserman, 2007). When researching the differences between boys’ and girls’ brains, it is important to note that neither brain is “better” but just unique in their strengths and weaknesses. Each has the potential to learn, grow, be productive and succeed but the method used in teaching in which we expect these brains to respond should correspond with the research
Most Universities offer classes for aspiring teachers in the theories behind education, classroom management, lesson plan writing and the history of education. All of these classes and subjects are relevant in their own rights but one class that isn’t often offered is the differences between boy and girl brain development and what that means to education. Even when a fetus is formed, there are biological differences happening from day one that will create either a boy or a girl and will determine numerous differences between them. This research is important and extremely relevant to understanding why boys are the way that they are and learn in the way that they do. Girls have traits that are tremendously different than boys and with the knowledge of this research, a teacher can tailor his/her instruction to fit all of the learning needs of their students.
Neurological Differences Between Boys and Girls According to Gurian, Stevens, and King (2008b), the differences begin at conception when a Y chromosome is present or not present, determining the sex of the fetus. When a Y chromosome is received, a male system begins with a secretion of testosterone resulting in a higher capacity for muscle mass as well as different calcium and iron ratios. Female offspring will also receive testosterone but in a smaller amount due to the estrogen-type hormones being released in her blood stream. These chemical differences affect the brain development and although they aren’t the only factors influencing how the brain will expand, they are the building blocks for future brain growth (Wasserman, 2007). When researching the differences between boys’ and girls’ brains, it is important to note that neither brain is “better” but just unique in their strengths and weaknesses. Each has the potential to learn, grow, be productive and succeed but the method used in teaching in which we expect these brains to respond should correspond with the research