Female Teachers and The Teaching of Boys

[zanzibarmum]

I know the teachers on the site will not agree but does the largely female (most single with no kids?) teaching force struggle to understand our boys and engage them in learning. What are the views of parents.
As a mum of both girls and boys my experience is that many normal, well behaved boys get a raw deal from some of the teachers though it is not of course something you raise with teachers for fear of getting your head bitten off - I know my own sister who's a teacher had a go! Views

That's exactly the football issue. But rather than ban it why not manage it, for the sake of the boys.

And the girls!

Err..and what of the girls who might like to play football? Or don't they do that in your school?

cross-post- great minds think alike

ds is a different boy

His reception teacher a mother herself of 2 boys and 2 girls PERSISTENTLY drew our attention to the fact that ds was not 'playing with boys' did not 'play football' and 'preferred the company of girls'

she made us miserable with her sexual stereotyyping

izyboy, my ds was one of the most socially aware children I've known at a very early age; wanted to be a childminder; now he wants to go into acting instead; I shall watch his future progress with considerable interest

Thay may be so Cory but from my limited experience most of the boys in DSs class are less socially aware than the girls.

football usually is 'managed' at schools. It has to be. Rules are set and the children should be able to stick to them without an adult constantly refereeing. But it usually still gets out of hand at some point.

Sometimes banning it and then re-stating rules and re-starting is managing it.
It can be very unfair on teh other children who want to play games/sport on teh grass and on those in certain areas of the playground when they get walloped on teh head.

I am sure of it, Izy; my point is that children need to be seen as individuals.

Maybe I should define what I mean abit more. DS is gentle, he likes to share and is friendly, but is only beginning to understand that sometimes you need to do certain things for the benefit of the group. ie. sit still, etc. Most of the girls have understood this ages ago. DS loves unstructured play most of the girls want to do structured activities now.

Alot of the girls DS has played with try to wind him up with silly things like ' I am gong to Xs house-you're not invited!' He has no understanding of this type of discourse at all.etc.

I meant socially aware of what triggers other people, always trying to manipulate people in his (self-assumed) role as a peace-maker, very early in understanding why people react as they do.

Well of course, we are all individuals but there are recognised general characteristics that can be helpful in helping to understand learning/social abilities. To expect a boy like DS to be able to achieve changing for PE at 3.5 like a very able girl his age is unfair.

ah, I see- my dd couldn't do that either. I suspect I just have two very backwards children

though neither of them was at school at 3.5

Yes or an unrealistic teacher! But seriously alot of the girls could achieve this no problems. Now that might be due to some kind of social engineering (fashion etc) but I also think that boys lack a degree of dexterity at this age that makes writing, dressing more awkward.

He was at a nursery attached to the school. The first time they did PE DS refused to change (he couldnt) so she made him sit out.

But hang on- we're in the primary section here. How did those 3-year-olds sneak in?

Yes I agree about a degree of dexterity. But ime this is often balanced by a complete lack of concern- even at 8 ds can come home from school perfectly happily with his trousers back to front. It's not that he is incapable; he genuinely doesn't care. So I imagine his suffering is minimal

as for writing- I think they start this too early in English schools anyway, and the Scandinavians have a better idea (practise practical skills first and only start formal education later)

Yeah he's 4.9 now so I am talking last year - but the case is still true to an extent. I bet there are few girls at 8 who would be happy wearing their skirts back to front. I agree we teach literacy too young. I think by 7 girls and boys have similar dexterity levels and hopefully ability to concentrate.

Well, apologies if my post made you wince, but I stand by it, all the same.

The number of female teachers who ran out the room in tears when I was a kid was not edifying.

I never knew a male teacher do that. They might not be good, but they're not confusing.

Boys are different from girls, and I would rather my boy was taught by either a male, or a womman who spat.

So suck it.

....therefore, I suppose, unless you have teachers that understand boys need a bit more time (generally speaking) to develop these skills - boys could be put off by the rigidity of the 'structure'of early years teaching in this country

cripes, what sort of school did you go to?

spitting AND sucking - am I on the right thread or indeed forum ???

A regular one, pointy.

Womem are subject to their emotions in a way that men, in a professional capacity, are not, when it comes to schooling.

I would prefer my son to be taught, as a primary teacher, by either a male, or a woman who does not display overt feminine qualities.

"Womem are subject to their emotions in a way that men, in a professional capacity, are not, when it comes to schooling."
Chokes on drink WHHHAAATTT!!! Explain! Jeez, MN is MENTAL tonight!