Book Snippets: The differences between boys and girls

Posted by Rob in Development

In helping to “Discipline without Shouting or Spanking“, author Jerry Wyckoff and Barbara C. Unell look at the differences between preschool aged boys and girls. Have you wondered why the boys seem to run and jump all over the place and girls tend to be less aggressive? Research has shown that girls brains secrete more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that inhibits aggression. While for boys, their brains secrete more testosterone, a hormone that drives aggression.

The following are other examples of the common differences between girls and boys:

• Boys tend to focus only on one thing at a time and act aggressive to interruptions.
• Motor activities for girls peak less quickly, last longer, and are less energetic.
• When boys play, the games and activities they play tend to use more space, thus giving them the tendency to need to play outside more.
• Girls’ attention to objects is less fleeting and less active.
• Girls tend to pay more attention to sight, taste, touch, sound, and aromas… their five senses.
• Due to the fact that boys’ right hemisphere is further developed, visual information gathered by the left eye helps the boys do better.
• In general development, at the age of five, girls are six months ahead of boys.
• If boys perceive themselves as strong will look for rough horseplay.
• If boys feel safe and competent, they will seek independence earlier than girls.

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