The differences between boys and girls are just one of the issues under the spotlight in this week's issue of Nursery World. Our Special Report 'Sex education' by Helen Bilton (see pages 10-11) looks at how both nature and nurture contribute to each gender having different ways of thinking and different learning styles. Helen Bilton examines what this means for early years practitioners and how they should respond to meet the needs of all children and foster their strengths. This theme is also taken up by another renowned expert, Opal Dunn, in her article on nurturing the communication skills of babies and toddlers, the first in a series of three ('First words', pages 12-13). The difference in boys' and girls' brain development shows up in their acquisition and use of language, she explains.
The differences between boys and girls are just one of the issues under the spotlight in this week's issue of Nursery World. Our Special Report 'Sex education' by Helen Bilton (see pages 10-11) looks at how both nature and nurture contribute to each gender having different ways of thinking and different learning styles. Helen Bilton examines what this means for early years practitioners and how they should respond to meet the needs of all children and foster their strengths.
This theme is also taken up by another renowned expert, Opal Dunn, in her article on nurturing the communication skills of babies and toddlers, the first in a series of three ('First words', pages 12-13). The difference in boys' and girls' brain development shows up in their acquisition and use of language, she explains.
Recognising that boys and girls are different is not 'sexist', but a necessary part of providing equal opportunities for both sexes to reach their potential.
Playing outdoors is certainly a vital experience for all children, and you can read about the plans of our Outdoor Challenge competition winners to improve their outside spaces on pages 24 and 25.
