Boys’ Learning: Five Tips for Getting Boys to Read
There is something about boys that makes me want to help them be their best. I read books about learning like others breeze through a good fiction novel. I find the topic really interesting and love to share boys’ learning resources.
I run a boys’ book club because I think getting boys to read is imperative to their success. I want to help people raise boys who love to learn and think reading can play a big part in helping boys be lifelong learners.
My son is a big reader. I know that is not true for all boys but many will enjoy reading if you can just find the right materials for them to read. You can use the reading lists on Crystal’s site and my site to find great books for boys. (Best Books for Boys, Books Children Must Read)
Boys’ Learning: Reading
Here are 5 tips for getting boys to read that are all very easy to implement and will help with your boy’s learning.
1. Let them read anything
Chapter books are great but there are many other materials for boys to read. Don’t get stuck thinking they need to read fiction. Many boys love non-fiction. Here are some other things that boys tend to like to read: video game manuals, magazines, catalogs, directions for building sets, list books
2. If they are interested in a subject find reading materials for them–pronto.
Any time your boy is interested in a specific topic put reading materials in front of them right away. For example, if your boy is into dinosaurs, get non-fiction books, fiction books, magazines, drawing books, graphic novels and more. Find websites for them to explore, take them to a museum and let them read the signs on the displays.
3. Get books of all levels
I suggest letting a child pick many of their own books from the time they can reach out and grab one 🙂 If the book is below their reading level they can see how words are spelled or practice patterns of speech. If the book is above their level they will not understand everything but you can read it to them or they can ask for help. They will also understand some of it and learn new words.
4. Read out loud to them no matter what their age
Start reading to them when they are very young and don’t stop until they move out. I am quite serious about this. Sadly, as soon as kids start to read on their own they are read to less and less. Keep reading to them! It is so important for them to continue to hear people reading. They can pick up so much, including language, pronunciation, sentence structure and more. You can also use audio books and Playaways which are great because they often feature wonderful narrators.
5. Share books with other boys
If possible try to find a way for your boy to share books with other boys. If there is a boy’s book club that you can join that is great. If not, you could always start one—that is what I did! Or get a few boys together to chat about the books they enjoy. Knowing that other boys read, and enjoy it, can be great for boys who are not too sure about reading and for boys who love to read it can be a whole lot of fun.
Reading is so rewarding and it is a path to boys’ learning success. I hope you will try a few of these ideas to bring more reading materials into your boy’s life and let them know that you value (and enjoy!) reading.
What do you do to get your boy reading?
Crystal,
Thank you for allowing me to share my ideas on boys’ learning on your site. I hope your audience enjoys the article about boys’ reading 🙂
Sheila
Good tips. I find reading aloud really helps.
Thanks 🙂 I actually really enjoy the time I spend reading aloud to my son.
I totally think that boys need to be interested in something to get them to read. They just can’t focus like most little girls can. My husband hates reading books but I think if he had found the right books growing up, he could have loved reading as well. It will definitely be a tradition in our home to read out loud before bed.
Great tradition Megan. Reading before bed is something we have always done and we love it. I agree with finding the right books. Sometimes it can be hard.
My boys and I love to read every night. I agree that the books should be geared toward their interests. Truck books are the theme in my house right now. Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the nice comment Karen. I certainly remember truck books being a hit here as well. We loved Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go!
Wonderful advice! I agree with all the tips and really think that tip #1 is so important. We have to match books to readers!
Thanks so much Jodie! Your blog does a great job of providing a lot of great literacy ideas that people can use to help boys find those books.
What great tips! My son loves to be read to but he is at the age that he should be learning to read and he doesn’t seem to be interested, would just rather listen. Maybe some of these tips will get him excited to want to start reading on his own. Thanks for linking up to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Some boys really learn a lot by listening and it helps them to be better readers when they are ready. Glad you liked the tips 🙂 I certainly would put books in front of him for a topic he loves–for you to read or for him to look through.
I love number 1 best – if they like to read comic books, let them at ’em! Reading is reading! 🙂
Some great tips. I am not sure why this is targeted specifically at boys? I have one of each and think this post has great advice for encouraging both my son and my daughter to read. Thanks for linking to the #pinitparty. Have pinned.
I have found that boys are more reluctance at reading and take more time to find their love for reading.
As a mom of all boys I am always looking for content geared towards boys learning.
Hi Mum of One,
Yes, these ideas apply to many people. It is geared toward boys because my site is about boys’ learning. I am glad you liked the advice 🙂 Thanks for you comment.