Boys and books – the phrase just seems to flow, doesn’t it? However,
research has shown that here is often a gap between girls and boys when
it comes to reading. Girls tend to read earlier and are more eager to
read books than boys. Boys are typically more physically active than
girls and consider sitting down to read a boring activity. Are there
ways to get boys reading?
Boys must be encouraged to read by using topics or role models in which
they are interested to get them excited about the written word. If
parents are excited about reading, then children will be excited as
well. Here are some great ideas for helping boys to read (and perhaps
enjoy the journey!).
Ways to Get Boys Reading
· Begin early reading to your child. Even an infant will enjoy the
sing-song sound of your voice, the rhythm and cadence of the words, and
the inflection in your voice as you read. Let your child see the
expressions on your face as you read and already their imagination will
be inspired.
· Boys love animals of all sizes. Read books and magazines about
domestic and wild animals of all kinds. Ask him to act out what a lion
might sound like or how a small dog or large dog would bark. Boys are
active, so get them involved in the books by asking them to use their
bodies, faces, and imagination to act out scenes or be a character in
the story.
· Boys love gross stuff! Books about gross (not graphic!) topics are
always a hit. How easily could science be introduced here with
wonderful experiments involving gooey ingredients?
· Look at picture books with young children. Ask the child to look at
the picture and explain what he thinks is happening. Boys have
wonderful imaginations. Boys relish the idea of making up their own
stories based on a picture. Use picture books as a springboard for
introducing readers with a few words.
· Newspapers, magazines, brochures, grocery stores signs, food labels,
billboards, and books all count, so encourage your child to read many
different types of written material (always with supervision of course).
· Talk about the story, asking him what he liked best or least. Ask him to change the end of the story and make it his own.
· Traveling long distances can be rough on little ones. Use this
precious time to create a story with your child. Ask him to make up a
story. Take turns adding details, characters, and events to the story.
If possible, write it or type it as you go so you have a hard copy of
the story. Later on, ask your child to illustrate the story he made up!
Make it into his first “published” book.
· Boys will learn to love the library if they know the adults in their
life love it too. Make frequent visits to your local or school library.
Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to get both parents involved in the
library programs.
· Focus on their interests. Boys love fantasy, science fiction,
adventure, mysteries, sports, cars, animals, historical accounts, cool
facts, and comics. Allow them to explore their interests this way and
they’ll eventually want to read more often.
· Ask your school library to display posters of famous sports figures
or inventors reading a book. Home educators can do the same with the
local library or display posters at home.
· Boys desire to emulate at least one male role model in their life,
such as their dad, uncle, grandfather, or older cousin. Boys who see
someone they respect and love reading for both knowledge and enjoyment
will be more likely to do so themselves.
· Both parents should take the time to read with their children. Sit on
a swing set or jungle gym and read together. Read by the pool, on the
porch, or at the park. A different and interesting location can make
reading more fun and teaches them that books can be read anywhere.
Get creative! If your son wants to read about sports figures or
inventors and nothing else, that’s ok. Allow him some freedom to
discover what it is he likes to read about and work from there to
incorporate other ways of helping him to enjoy reading. With a bit of
encouragement and thought, you’ll discover there are many ways to get
boys reading successfully.
