Why Boys Don't Like to Read
by Natacha V. Beim
Boys are raised to fit many stereotypes in Western society. They should prefer blue to pink, cars to Barbies, and football to ballet. But does being a boy mean not wanting to read? A study published this year by Dobbs-Oates & Baroody concluded that preschool girls show more interest in literacy activities than boys of the same age.
While it’s healthy for children to have varied interests, literacy is a skill that’s necessary for all children. There is a tremendous amount of research supporting the importance of learning how to engage with books at an early age. Firstly, the more a child is interested in books and reading, the less he is likely to suffer from attention deficit, hyperactivity, withdrawal, and aggression. Research has also shown that preschoolers’ early literacy skills are related to later reading skills and achievement in elementary school. Furthermore, reading skills in first grade have been linked to reading achievement in secondary school. It’s plain that if preschool-aged boys don’t develop a healthy interest in reading, it can affect their reading success much later, even in their high-school years.
Why don’t boys like to read?
Of course, many boys enjoy reading, just as many girls don’t. Gender preferences work more like a sliding scale than a straight separation. Having said that, there are a few possible explanations for boys being generally less interested in reading than girls.
The purpose of reading can have a lot to do with it. Girls tend to read for enjoyment, whereas boys tend to read more practical non-fiction designed to teach something specific. When you consider these tendencies coupled with the fact that the majority of preschool teachers are female, it makes sense that preschool teachers often choose narrative books that speak more to a female audience.
The themes of preschool books also tend to be nurturing, which in general is more geared towards a female audience. Boys are often groomed to prefer action-driven books that include superheroes, pirates, or villains.
How can I help my son develop a love for reading?
The more you tailor your son’s experiences with books to his unique interests, the more success you’re likely to have. Try going to the library with him and encouraging him to choose a book that he finds interesting. If you would like to expose him to better literary choices, you can invite him to choose one book to read and ask if you could chose a second one.
Reading as a family can also enhance your son’s interest in books. Children who see their parents reading for pleasure often pick up the same habit.
Another great idea is to donate a few copies of your son’s favorite books to his junior kindergarten or preschool. This will allow him to share his favorite stories with his classmates. You can also share your child’s literary interests with his teachers, as they may be unaware of what books most interest young boys.
Getting your young child to be interested in books now will have lifelong benefits. It may take some dedication, but once the love of reading is instilled in your child, the rewards will seem well worth it.
About the Author
Natacha V. Beim is a writer, speaker, teacher, and the founder or Core Education & Fine Arts Junior Kindergarten schools (www.cefa.ca). You can reach her at natacha@cefa.ca.
