7 Ways to Get Your Boys
to Fall in Love with Reading

From the Desk of: Robert Gould
When: Friday, March 21, 2008, 6:30pm


It is a known fact that, sadly, boys lag well behind girls when it comes to reading skills. As a result, we see lower grades in English for boys, and, frighteningly, a much higher high school dropout rate.

But the GOOD NEWS is that there are several strategies you can employ – as a family – to turn your young male children into All-Star readers! Let’s take a look:

1. Find stories that really resonate with your child’s “boyish” interests: You know the usual suspects…dinosaurs, pirates, knights, mummies, construction and, um…demolition. Whatever your son is “into” at the current time, find books that speak to that interest.



2. Find a male “reading role model”: If a young boy sees his father or older brothers reading all the time, he’ll be that much more likely to pick up the habit himself. There’s no substitute for a home environment where the child’s role models are seen as avid readers. Next chance you get, turn off the TV and sit down with a book you’ve been meaning to read yourself. Your son will see the behavior and, because YOU KNOW he looks up to you, begin to emulate it.



3. Take them to the bookstore instead of the toy store: If you’re going to pick up a special treat for your son, why not make it at the local bookstore instead of Toys “R” Us or Best Buy? And while you’re there, spend some time just meandering around the store. It’s a great way to spend an hour and will help your child build a love for the place.



4. Keep it light: Personally, I find that there are more “responsible” types of reading material than the exploits of Captain Underpants. But hey, your son sure loves it. And guess what, despite the silly subject matter, if he knows it backwards and forwards, then he’s reading and comprehending! And loving it! Rest assured that he’ll move on to different subject matter as he matures, but feel great about the fact that the good Captain and his ilk have provided an alternative entry point into the world of reading.



5. Make a spectacle of yourself: Boys acquire knowledge more effectively when stimulated by music and movement. Act out the stories. Get up and BE the character! Heck, it’s in the privacy of your own home – so go nuts and have fun with your child!



6. Get involved at his school library: Every librarian is grateful for help from volunteers. Whether it’s coming in to read to the kids or just helping to organize the stacks, your son will see your level of commitment to the library and say, “Hmm. This place MUST be cool if Dad is getting involved here!”



7. Read to him every day: The most obvious point is also the most powerful. Reading to a child (boy or girl) is the single most effective way to build a love of books. Set aside time to read with your child. Make it a regular occurrence at a given time every day. It’s good for you and even better for him!