Seen at Kids Lit: The Miami Herald printed an article with great tips for getting boys interested in reading.
Powerful cultural and media conditioning may work to keep boys from seeing reading as masculine. The writer posits that since most teachers are women and most library trips may be with mom, boys may perceive reading as a "girl thing".
In a nutshell, some of the hints:
- Find subject matter that hooks your son; books with male characters.
- Start a book club.
- Make sure your children see you reading.
- Take your children to the library and to the bookstore.
- Read to them!
My boy likes to read - it's the girl I'm worried about!
Posted by: Anna | March 06, 2006 at 02:11 PM
Yeah, I was thinking that this is just a bit sexist. More equitable would be to call it "Ways to Interest Reluctant Readers (of Any Gender)".
Posted by: Kathie | March 06, 2006 at 02:38 PM
there was a related thing on NPR this morning about the widening education gap with boys and girls, and how at some colleges only 1 student out of 3 is male.
they talked about the same things tho, all female teachers.
wonder if this could also be the end of the earnings gap...? one can only hope.
Posted by: caro | March 06, 2006 at 02:47 PM