Getting boys to read books

Tips to Engage Boys with Reading

June 29, 2024

As we enjoy the mid-year break, getting a book to replace a controller in a boy’s hand is a struggle! My best advice is to ‘parallel’ read a book alongside your son these holidays. Discuss the plot, the characters, the choices that the character made ~ it shows your son that you value what they read. Here are some other ideas.

1) Offer a wide variety of reading materials: Boys may be more likely to engage with reading materials that match their interests and hobbies. Offer materials that cover a range of topics, such as sports, adventure, science, and technology. Graphic novels, comics, and magazines can also be a great way to engage boys with reading.

2) Encourage boys to choose their own books: Allowing boys to select their own reading materials can increase their motivation and engagement. Provide them with access to a wide variety of books and other reading materials, and allow them to choose what they want to read.

3) Make reading a fun activity: Incorporate reading into fun activities that boys enjoy, such as game nights, competitions, or building projects. This can help to make reading more appealing and engaging.

4) Use technology to support reading: This is our expertise and why Literacy for Boys is so successful! Many boys are comfortable with technology, and using technology to support reading can make it more engaging. For example, our program offers choice and is interactive with built-in gamification elements to reward effort. Consider also using e-books that help to build reading skills.

5) Role models and positive reinforcement: Encourage boys to read by providing positive role models, such as fathers, brothers, or male teachers, who demonstrate that reading is an important and worthwhile activity. Reward and recognize boys who engage in reading and reading-related activities, as this can help to increase their motivation and engagement.

It is important to remember that not all boys are the same, and different approaches will work better for different boys. The goal is to provide a variety of engaging activities and materials that cater to different learning styles, preferences, and interests.

See our program in action

“The boys can’t wait to get onto LFB each day during literacy!” We hear this from teachers frequently and it fills our literacy bucket. When parents write to us to tell us that their son is loving the program and is eager to tell them at dinner about the latest topic, we couldn’t be more thrilled.

Take a look at why our program is a world first in targetting boys’ literacy ~

Our literacy programs have created the reading content to support your teaching. STEM, history, creative writing, science: with hundreds of kid-centric topics to choose from, our programs have been proven to lift literacy in schools and at home. Contact us today.

Our Results

An effective reading program needs to be backed by strong results. Literacy for Boys was independently tested in one of the largest State Primary schools in Qld. Students in Years 3 to 6 improved their reading, spelling and comprehension ages by an average of 12 months after only 18 weeks on our program! Click here for the full report.

info@literacyforboys.com.au

info@literacyforkids.com.au

Want your students to finish strong in their literacy? Want more from your literacy program? Contact us for a 30-day free trial in your school or classroom. New schools receive these great ‘Turn and Talk’ comprehension cards for their classroom ~