Educating the Adolescent Male Brain

Kelley King, Associate Director of The Gurian Institute, explains how some of the problems of boys can be traced to an inadequate knowledge of the differences in the brains of boys and girls and what parents and other adults can do to help boys.

In cutting to the chase, Lon Woodbury asked today’s guest on his Internet Talk Radio Show: “Parent Choices for Struggling Teens” on LATalkRadio, “What is the status of boys today?” In response, Kelley King, Associate Director of Gurian Institute, shared an amazing list of considerable gaps that today’s boys are facing in education and learning. These gaps include: significant reading gaps, higher discipline reports, more learning disabilities among boys, substance abuse, more D’s and F’s for boy’s, higher retention in school, more drop-outs and a significant drop in enrollment in college (with girls at 60% and boys at 40%).

Simply stated, “we need to turn some things around” said Kelley. “Due to budget cuts at some schools, hands on learning experiences like arts and woodworking are being dropped from the curriculum. These are critical activities for boys. We need to start to adjust the way we deal with and educate boys”.

“Why are boys doing so poorly?” asked Lon. Kelley shared that in talking to teachers around the country, there are some root causes: the lack of male educators (teachers are predominately female), teachers have not been trained in new “brain-based” scientific techniques, and the “traditional classrooms” are generally female based learning centered whereas more boys have additional problems with sitting and listening compared to girls, verbal instruction makes boys “zone out or become fidgety” and there is a lack of male (fathers) participating at school, by volunteering in the classrooms.

Another significant downfall for males to succeed in school is peer influence. Within the culture of boys, the motto “It isn’t cool to do good in school” is having a direct impact on boys achieving higher marks. Peers recognize “good in school” as being popular in sports, or being captain of the team. “This can cause a burden for smart boys”, shared Lon. It goes with the old adage “boys don’t cry”. Kelley agreed and shared that girls will turn to others for support, but boys will isolate and that they need to learn how to verbalize their feelings.

When asked what can families and teachers can do to help their male child, Kelley suggests that boys need to get up and move their bodies in the classroom, they need physical activity. Before writing a report or story, have the boys draw or sketch pictures of what they are going to write about first. Create curriculum with more game formats, that healthy competition is good for both boys and girls. And lastly, find ways to make the whole school more male oriented…from the playground to the lunchroom and even the library, by stocking it with books that are of interest to boys.

To listen to the full interview go to Educating the Adolescent Male Brain http://www.latalkradio.com/Players/Lon-112811.shtml on LATalkRadio.

Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent choices for Struggling Teens at http://www.latalkradio.com/Lon.phpon LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00 Noon, Pacific Time, Channel One.

Kelley King has been with the Gurian Institute for six years and is the Associate Director. She is a 25 year veteran of the public school system, an international speaker and an author, As a Master Trainer for the Gurian Institute; Kelley travels widely to deliver keynotes, teacher workshops, and consultation to educators and parents.

Founded in 1996, the Gurian Institute is committed to helping boys and girls reach their full potential by providing professional development that increases student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and parent involvement.

Woodbury Reportswas founded in November 1989, by Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP, as an Independent Educational Consulting firm to help parents of teens making poor decisions select a private, parent choice program that would help return the family to normalcy.  Through interviews with parents, communication with professionals who know your child well, and then thoroughly researching viable options, we can help parents make the right choices that will help your child get back on the right path.  For more information about Woodbury Reports Inc., call 208-267-5550, or email to [email protected], or visit the web site www.strugglingteens.com.