52 Recommendations for Boys in Schools (Recommendation 2)

Recommendation 2:

Since boys convert feelings to movement it is essential that parents and teachers realise that boys need to move when faced with emotions and that a good way to open boys up is to do something active with them that they enjoy. In the middle of some physical activity they will often reveal what problem they` may be facing.

This is a recommendation that I believe we are following well in our classroom. The ‘walk and talk’ strategy is one that we use very regularly. Within our unit team we support each other with the supervision needed to be able to do this and school leadership are also happy to cover classes when the need arises. 

Although the logistics of this strategy can be difficult, it is important to find ways to make this happen. Talking to boys ‘side by side’ rather than ‘face to face’ makes a big difference. Often speaking with a boy face to face about a difficult topic can cause them to feel confronted, where as the same conversation side by side or during physical activity seems more supportive and relaxed.

This is a strategy that I have see and use everyday with great success. Several years into our boys program we are now seeing the boys use this strategy with each other. Regularly, students will notice an issue ‘brewing’ before I do and ask to take another student for a walk to try and help them. It is amazing to watch and has really become something that we take for granted in our classroom now.

For us, this recommendation has been a ‘game changer’. It has helped to create an environment where we talk to students rather than at students. It has helped to create a classroom environment where big blow ups are rare and where students are managing their issues with much more success.