Addressing Research & Reality

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"The changes in schooling, particularly around curriculum expectations, are a major contributing factor to why

boys struggle so much in the mainstream school environment.  One of the saddest things is that boys in

schools are so often seen through a deficit lens. They are seen as problems that need to be fixed

instead of seeing them as being little humans whose core needs are not being met." 

- Maggie Dent (Parenting Author, Educator and Speaker)

 

 

 

To best prepare boys for school, sport, and life it is important to understand and consider the nature of human development and learning in association with the current construct and situational realities of present-day early education and coaching.  In reviewing pertinent research and anecdotal evidence we noticed that there exists an ever-widening gap between how boys develop and learn best and what is currently being offered in today’s early educational environment and community sports.  To help remedy this reality we carefully attend to a number of important evidenced-based neurodevelopmental findings and pedagogical considerations to inform and support core features of our program.

 

Neurodevelopment – Neurodevelopment is the formation of the neurological connections and pathways in the brain that control performance and functions involved in cognition, perception, communication and learning. Children aged 3 to 5 years-old experience rapid growth in neural processes.  Optimal neurodevelopment in preschool aged children leads to healthy behavioral, emotional, social and cognitive development including increased communication and motor skills.

 

A Boy’s Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) – The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain involved in executive functions (EFs) which includes a broad set of cognitive abilities related to purposeful, goal-directed behaviour and learning.  This includes decision-making, planning, organizing, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, memory, attention, focus, task initiation and persistence, emotional regulation, and inhibitory control.  Boys tend to be slower developing than girls in this area and need more personalized attention, support and physical activity to stimulate growth and healthy connectivity in neural processes. 

Choice – Making a choice is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. For children, providing choice directly promotes neurodevelopment. It aids in the maturation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) which is connected to motivation, behavioral flexibility, cost-benefit calculation, persistence, and learning.  Choice enhances feelings of self-determination, ownership and responsibility, and directly contributes to a child’s sense of self-worth, independence and well-being.

 

https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjep.12528

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Free Play & Structure – Children’s play activities commonly take on variations of two different forms: free play and structured play.  Both are vital for a child’s wellbeing, learning and growth.  Free play is open-ended and improvised with no set goal. It is about using imagination, creativity and exploring possibilities.  It helps children enjoy a sense of freedom and control, allowing them to try things in a pressure-free and supportive environment.  Structured or goal-oriented play involves following rules or instructions to solve problems or meet pre-established individual or group goals.  It helps children develop logical thinking, confidence, and resilience as well as learn how to cooperate and effectively communicate in group settings.  A healthy balance of both types of play helps children to develop and utilize their creative and logical thinking skills and instills in them a sense of curiosity and purposeful learning.    

 

Exercise & Physical Literacy – In addition to increasing bone growth, muscle development and overall cardiovascular health, regular exercise benefits various regions of the brain, enhancing cognitive functions and behaviour in children.  Physical activity improves blood supply for neuron growth and synaptic development crucial for learning, memory, and behaviour.  Movement enhances brain functions associated with spatial awareness, decision-making, problem-solving, motivation and attention.  Physical literacy learning enables children to develop the physical competence, confidence and motivation to effectively participate in sport.  Please review the benefits of physical literacy on our program page.  

 

Being Outside & In Nature – Spending time outdoors benefits eye health, sleep patterns, quality of rest, and mood.  Outdoor activities promote better communication skills, strengthening social bonds and fostering healthier relationships with peers.  Interactions with people, animals, and the natural world contribute to the formation of a child's sense of identity and belonging.  By spending time outdoors and in nature, children develop a deeper connection to nature and others, nurturing environmental consciousness from a young age.  Exposure to nature's stimuli also has a restorative effect on the nervous system, enhancing focus, concentration, and creativity. ​   ​

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Student-Teacher Ratios – The student-teacher ratio of an education program or setting is one of the strongest indicators of student success and engagement.  It affects the quality of relations, instruction and learning within a particular group.  A smaller group size allows adults to interact more easily with each child and quickly respond to each child’s unique needs.  ​Our 6:1 student-teacher ratio allows us to know and adapt to the individual.  We incorporate one-on-one time every day enabling us to tailor instruction, guided practice and support specific to each child.  This responsive instruction and caregiving is very important for a child’s learning, social-emotional development and overall well-being. 

 

Positive Male Role Modeling – The interpersonal and task abilities of leaders, teachers and caregivers involved in the foundation phase of education can positively influence the development, learning and well-being of children in their care.  This includes being authentic, competent, empathetic and trustworthy.  Accomplished and qualified males can serve as positive role models with their example and inspire others to follow suit.  Central to our program is positive male role modeling that directly shows valuing the process and outcomes of learning for boys.  Our staff will teach and model positive behaviours important for success in school, sport and life.   

 

Rules & Routines – The teaching and use of well-considered rules and routines are an important part of a high functioning early education program.  Rules are explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or place.  They teach children what behaviours are acceptable and those that are not.  The rules may be different in different places, but everyone is expected to follow them in that place.  Routines are the procedures and the order of doing things.  They teach children what to do and what to expect.  Together, rules and routines guide behaviour and expectations for children and are necessary for maintaining a safe, secure and predictable learning environment.   

 

Team Approach – The purpose of our program is to advance child development and early learning specific to boys.  This includes teaching and supporting the learning of literacy, numeracy and life skills as well as physical literacy.  We utilize the expertise of qualified professionals and instructors to assist us in this process.  We also support communications with families to help maintain alignment on how our teaching practices and learning strategies meet the needs of each child.  As a means to support and supplement our program we provide direction and materials for families so that they can extend guided practice and reinforce their child’s learning and development.      

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