Many parents and caregivers observe that girls seem to reach developmental milestones faster than boys. For instance, both Claire and John are a year old, but Claire appears to hit milestones quicker than John. Why? What accounts for this apparent difference in development? While every child’s growth is unique and they aren’t in competition, understanding the reasons behind these differences can be enlightening. Let’s explore through my experience and do some research for concrete answers.
My Experience
As a mom to a 3-and-a-half-year-old girl and a 21-month-old boy, I’ve noticed distinct differences in their developmental timelines. My daughter reaches her milestones either “on time” or ahead of schedule. My son, on the other hand, achieved the same milestones slightly later. For example, my daughter took her first independent steps at 11 months, while my son started walking closer to 13 months. Both are within the typical range, but my daughter was earlier.
My husband and I read quite a lot to our children. As a result, my daughter developed a language burst that she could hold a conversation by 14 months. On the other hand, my son is using words which is also perfectly okay! Additionally, on toilet training, my daughter showed readiness signs at my son’s current age of 21 months and was successful by 25 months. My son, being more hyper, has not shown clear readiness signs yet, making me uncertain about starting the training process.
Observing these differences, among many others, has been fascinating and prompted me to delve into some documented research.
Research Insights
Research on this topic is extensive and revealing. It’s important to note however, that not all boys are developmentally slower than all girls; there are always exceptions. Here are reasons some from a medically-reviewed article, written by Polly Logan-Banks and one by Ashleigh Frank:
Mature senses
According to Logan-Banks (2024), baby girls tend to recognize faces and expressions better and faster than boys, possibly due to more mature senses. This means that girls process feelings and emotions quicker, not necessarily that they are better at reacting to these feelings or emotions. In addition, girls tend to get the hang of potty/toilet training faster than boys. The former tend to show readiness signs and comprehension quicker (Logan-Banks, 2024).
Developmental milestones
Frank (2024) suggests that girls often reach developmental milestones, such as talking, developing hand-eye coordination, and emotional control, earlier than boys. Infant girls also tend to comfort themselves by sucking their thumbs more frequently than boys.
On average, girls learn tasks that require fine motor skills, such as dressing themselves and scribbling with crayons, earlier than boys (Logan-Banks, 2024). Girls might also have an edge in early education, as they develop language skills faster than boys. This helps them perform better in elementary school settings. For this reason, some parents interestingly decide to enrol their sons in kindergarten a year later to level the playing field (Frank, 2024).
Hormonal levels
Boys, with higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of serotonin, may be more easily stressed and harder to keep calm. These level imbalances contribute to boys being hyperactive and exhibiting more “aggressive” behaviour (Frank, 2024). “Boys are more active and restless than girls” (Logan-Banks, 2024).
Upbringing
Some people attribute the differences between little boys and girls to the way they are raised, while others believe these differences stem from genetics. However, the reasons why girls often develop faster than boys could be a combination of both. It’s a blend of inherent nature and the nurturing environment they grow up in (Frank, 2024).
Conclusion
The most important thing is our children’s healthy development. We’re not in competition with others. As parents, we must encourage our little ones to grow at their own pace. While there are biological differences between boys and girls, parenting styles and the environment also play significant roles in their development. Understanding these factors helps explain why many women are often attracted to and mentally stimulated by older men in adulthood.
Action Point
Reflect on your own experiences. What significant differences have you noticed between the developmental timelines of little boys and girls? Who developed faster?
Share your observations.
Reference
Frank, A. 2024. Parenting Boys Vs Girls: How Different Is It? Accessed on 4 June 2024. Available at: https://www.everydayhealth.com/kids-health/parenting-boys-vs-girls-how-different-it/#:~:text=Most%20experts%20believe%20that%20girls,is%20the%20result%20of%20hormones.
Logan-Banks, P. 2024. Boys and girls: developmental differences. Accessed on 4 June 2024. Available at: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1038526/boys-and-girls-developmental-differences
Logan-Banks, P. 2024. Brain Development: Are boys and girls’ brains different? Accessed on 4 June 2024. Available at: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1038511/brain-development-are-boys-and-girls-brains-different
Thank you for this mama , having 2 boys I have seen similar traits as compared to my friends girls of similar ages.
Thank you too dear Victory.