According to the experts, up to 80 per cent of boys and 80 per cent of girls have brains similar enough that they will respond to the same learning style. But what about the 20 per cent that differs? As a parent, you probably have a gut feeling that your little girl or boy doesn’t quite fit the mould. Test those instincts against the following questions, informed by the observations of teacher Tom Stevens (who has taught both sexes):
 Does your child work best collaboratively, or does he like to compete? Girls tend to learn best when there is co-operation; boys like to be pitted against each other.
Is your child a born reader or does she gravitate more to physical activities? Generally, boys need encouragement to sit quietly with a book.
Does your child learn best by hearing or seeing or by doing? While girls tend to learn from a spoken lesson, boys seem to be more experiential.
Does your child show affection by cuddling or by play-fighting? Teachers like Stevens observe that while most girls hug and kiss, boys prefer roughhousing.
Can your child follow complex instructions or do you need to spell them out one at a time? Most girls are better at multi-tasking.
Is your child an engaged listener or do you have to repeat yourself? Boys tend to have shorter attention spans.
— Liza Finlay |
