Yo Reading Family!
Let’s state the obvious: raising boys who can and enjoy reading isn’t automatic. Digital distractions, extra-curriculars, and family schedules present their fair share of hurdles in our pursuit of cultivating a love of reading in young men. It's true that the stereotype often suggests that reading is more popular among girls, but we're here to help you break those barriers and show how reading can unlock a world of knowledge, creativity, and imagination for boys too.
What can you start doing right away to make this a reality?
Read to your boys. Your son. Your grandson. Those young men in your classroom or outreach program.
The invitation is simple: embark on a remarkable journey of inspiring boys to fall in love with reading. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of reading to boys and sharing practical strategies that will make this experience enjoyable for everyone!
What are the benefits of reading to boys?
Good grief, where do we start?! Uncovering all the advantages that reading to boys offers would only take A LIFETIME. Not only does it enhance their language and cognitive skills, but it also boosts their emotional intelligence. By diving into the pages of books, boys can develop a richer vocabulary, sharpen their critical thinking, and become amazing problem solvers. And guess what? Reading also nurtures empathy, sparks creativity, and expands their horizons by exposing them to diverse cultures and perspectives. My personal favorite is the fact that reading to boys boosts their attention span, which is especially appreciated by educators!
How do I choose the right books for reading to boys?
Now, let's talk about the power of book selection. Book selection is near the top of this guide for a reason. You can apply the best methods in reading to boys, but if your chosen book is selected with little thought, your odds of success are slim. The love of reading is your gift to your listener, so make sure it’s “book wrapping” was carefully considered!
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding on a book to share with a boy or two:
What books do YOU enjoy and can share with passion?
What captivates the attention of the boys I’m reading to?
How much time do I have to commit to reading to boys?
How old is your audience?
What type of books beg to be read to boys?
Have I read the entire book BEFORE reading it my listeners?
In Which One Do I Choose: Tips On How to Select Books to Read to Kids, we answer each of these by drawing from years of personal reading experience and other literacy authorities. You can also check out our Help the Fellas Out Booklist for titles Stick Man has read and personally recommends!
How important is creating a reading routine?
You know what they say: consistency is key! Establishing a regular reading routine is like planting a seed of reading habit in boys. Your routine may vary depending on your family or classroom schedule, so be prepared to start with a manageable goal. This may mean you read to them for 5-10 minutes during snack time or while waiting to pick up an older sibling at practice. Once you identify pockets of time that repeat on a semi-regular basis, have a terrific book prepared and read to those boys!
How do I engage boys while reading to them?
Let's make reading an interactive adventure! Actively engaging boys during reading sessions make it even more exciting. Model question asking, predicting story outcomes, and sharing thoughts and opinions. This encourages the boys you’re reading to and invites them to participate. When I read the beloved Pigeon series by Mo Willems, my oldest son and I share our favorite moments and discuss what we would tell the characters while reading together. Want to take it a step further? Incorporate interactive activities like acting out scenes or drawing illustrations based on the story. Reading to boys will stimulate their imagination: let it run wild!
Does reading to boys improve literacy skills?
Reading to boys not only enhances their literacy skills but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of language. Sarah Mackenzie, founder of Read Aloud Revival, opened my eyes when she hosted Andrew Pudewa in the first episode of her podcast. In it, I learned that reading to boys will reliably provide sophisticated and correct language patterns. Who doesn’t want that? And that’s not all! The more we read to them, the more their pronunciation and fluency improves. You’ll be able to dive into discussions about unfamiliar words and their meanings, expanding their vocabulary and comprehension abilities. And why not explore different writing styles and literary techniques, such as metaphors, rhyme, and foreshadowing? It's like you’re unlocking a literacy museum for your boys to enter in and enjoy!
And here’s a little secret: when you read to them, they hardly ever notice these things happening 😉
Can I explore different genres?
As my Cuban grandmother would say, “¡Claro que si!”
I’ll wait for my non-native speaking friends to open Google Translate 😂
Introduce boys to a wide range of genres, opening doors to endless possibilities. Apart from fiction, explore non-fiction books that cover topics they're passionate about, whether it's science, history, or sports. This is especially true when reading to boys in the upper grades (4th and older). As the librarian at my school, I am constantly searching and finding nonfiction picture books that will captivate boys when I read to their classes. By presenting the best of different genres to boys, they can develop a diverse reading repertoire and expand their knowledge across various subjects. This builds their background knowledge, which is a crucial ingredient in personal reading comprehension.
Do I use technology when reading to boys?
As a father of young children (three are five years and younger with another on the way as of this publish date), I had reservations on what role digital reading would play in my journey to raising transcendent readers. I, thankfully, had limited access to technology growing up. But because I became addicted to video games as an older teen, I know how enticing gadgets can be for boys!
For our family, we have found a way to harness the power of technology to make reading even more captivating for boys. We constantly listen to audiobooks. Many relatives and close friends traveling with us have had the privilege of hearing the soothing voice of Arnold Lobel reading the adventures of Frog and Toad, characters from his beloved beginning reader series. This mobile reading experience is possible in large part due to living in a state where the public library system gives us access to thousands of children’s audiobooks with our library card! In addition, being an educator gives me the opportunity to use interactive reading apps like Epic! that offer a multimedia experience. My students LOVE watching an animated children’s book or e-book read aloud. It's like stepping into a whole new dimension of storytelling. Keep in mind that we should still strive to maintain a healthy balance and ensure that screen time doesn't overshadow the joy of traditional reading.
Will reading to boys develop a unique bond?
Whether you’re an educator reading to male students or a parent with sons, reading together is not just about books; it's about creating lasting connections together. Use reading sessions as an opportunity to spend quality time with your boys, producing a strong bond. Encourage them to share their thoughts, emotions, and interpretations of the stories. These shared experiences will even strengthen parent-child and mentor-learner relationships that will last a lifetime. I have former students who have graduated and fondly recall listening to me read Treasure in an Oatmeal Box, Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery, and George Washington’s Socks. Boys would even beg to listen to one more chapter, even if it meant losing a couple of minutes of recess! These forged memories are priceless.
How do I overcome challenges?
Oh, there will be challenges. Busy days, late nights, lesson plans, and fatigue are just among the many you’ll encounter on this journey. There are even moments when boys might resist reading or face challenges due to learning difficulties. But fear not! Patience and persistence are your allies in such situations. Find books that cater to their specific interests, which helps sustain motivation. It also helps to not commit to a book that’s heavier than your workout dumbbells. I also have a good rule of thumb I followed in the classroom and as a parent. Selecting a book that has about 120 pages to read with boys has just enough length for a quality plot, yet it also lends itself to be finished in a reasonable amount of time with a 5-10 minute regular commitment.
Should I encourage peer interaction when reading to boys?
Belonging to a reading community is like putting plants in potting soil rich with nutrients. It flourishes with richly added supplements instead of being rooted in dry dirt or clay. Contact your school or public children's librarian if they offer reading clubs or book discussions your boys can participate in. Ask parents whose sons love to read what resources have inspired them to keep reading to their littles. In addition to Read Aloud Revival, I shamelessly promote the work of the teams at Redeemed Reader and Heritage Mom. They have amazing ideas that help you foster a sense of belonging and shared interest in reading. One fond personal memory is the time my class and I commemorated the completion of Toys: Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions with a Twister tournament! This idea was birthed as a result of me hearing how others celebrated finished books. When boys belong to a society of fellow readers, they can exchange recommendations, share their favorite books, and have meaningful conversations about stories they love. Peer interaction will make them feel connected and inspire them to explore new literary worlds. I vividly remember one third grade class I taught and how they discovered their next books as they listened to others pitch book commercials in front of the group. All of this makes reading to boys more of a reality!
What else can inspire me to read to boys?
Remember: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t underestimate the exponential impact little actions accomplish in your pursuit of helping boys love literature. Every trip to your local library, independent bookstore, and book related school event can become a goldmine of ideas. Attend free webinars that feature someone who champions the merits of children’s literature. Surround your boys and yourself with others that values and celebrate reading. By doing this, you're filling up your shared reading tank. The result: boys who love reading, exploration, and discovery. Where do I sign up??
What are realistic expectations for reading to boys?
Remember, every child and family is unique! When fostering a reading habit with the fellas, it's important to set realistic expectations. Time, audience age, and book content are among several factors that have to be considered. Above all, the best piece of advice is to focus on the joy of the reading process rather than specific milestones. That might mean don’t force yourself to finish reading a book to your students that you or they aren’t really vibing with. Or it could be you have to skip a night of reading when you are exhausted and find your son gently waking you with, “Hey, wake up!” It may even be possible you’ll have to reread that book with a torn cover and toothpaste stains for the twentieth time. Be realistic and know these come part and parcel with the goal of seeing boys become transcendent readers. It's their reading journey too, after all!
Who can be a reading role model?
Role models can be superheroes in inspiring a love for reading. My good friend Stan Tucker visits schools around the country reading to gymnasiums full of students. He has become an inspiration to thousands of students, teachers, and parents across the country looking for successful individuals that also cherish books. You can encourage boys to learn about influential authors, athletes, scientists, or historical figures who promote the value of reading. Recruit family members and ask them to read with your boys as time allows. Let them see reading isn’t just for you and them; it’s embraced by others who they love and look up to!
Where can I start?
Check out our Stick Man Reads Youtube channel for regularly added content that offers book recs, inspirational stories, and tips that help reading to boys. For more ideas, you can follow us on Twitter. Have more questions? Contact us at help@stickmanreads.com. We are here to help you and those you love become transcendent readers!
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