Academic's book tackles issues faced by girls
Practical advice for parents and teachers in combating cyber bullying among girls is featured in a new book, It’s a girl thing, by University of the Sunshine Coast education expert Dr Michael Nagel.
Dr Nagel looks well beyond the surface “sugar and spice and all things nice” to consider the nitty-gritty of girls’ emotions, relationships and schooling, including the increased prevalence of bullying carried out through email and mobile phone texting.
The USC academic’s user-friendly publication simplifies the science of the neurological development of girls so that parents and teachers can identify and understand what affects girls’ learning and behaviour.
Dr Nagel, who has worked as an educator and researcher into behaviour management for the past three decades, said catty and spiteful behaviour in young girls was widespread and responsible for causing some long-term psychological problems.
He said schools needed to address this by teaching girls to understand emotions and how to deal with stressful situations like bullying, particularly cyber bullying.
“We are only beginning to understand the mysteries of the brain, but we do know how powerful emotions and relationships are for girls,” Dr Nagel said.
“Emotions should be the cornerstone of education. We need to teach girls how their brains operate and just how damaging words can be.”
It’s a girl thing follows Dr Nagel’s earlier book, Boys Stir Us, which offers ideas and strategies to engage positively with boys.
His books link theory to everyday life with the aim of enhancing school environments for both boys and girls.
— Kerry Brown