You might not expect a word nerd to say this, but I respect the fact that not everyone loves books like I do. However, I do believe everyone needs to be able to read. And can benefit from reading.
I’m not alone. Walter Dean Myers, our current Ambassador for Young People’s literature said it best – reading in today’s society is a necessary skill. Not optional. Necessary.
So how do we entice reluctant readers to hone their skills? We find them something they want to read- and realize that might notbe a book.
Reading Preferences vary by Gender
According to education.com, by high school, boys are less likely to read for pleasure than girls. And if you ask them why, they’ll tell you things like “I don’t have time,” “It’s boring,” or “I’d rather do something else.” (I’m going to take a guess here that those other things involve either a ball or a video game controller of some kind.)
While we shouldn’t make generalizations about guys and reading (I live with three males who love pleasure reading), I found interesting information from the study quoted at education.com:
- Boys prefer magazines, newspapers, and non-fiction
- Boys enjoy reading about sports or hobbies; some also like fantasy/science fiction
- Boys enjoy visual texts and graphic novels more than girls. (A graphic novel tells a story in comic book format. Result: more pictures than text. Lots of graphic novels are becoming available now; even Twilight was “translated” into a graphic novel.)
- Along the “visual” lines, boys will judge a book by its cover (not necessarily the text on the back)
Have you seen this in your life? My friend Michelle tells me her husband will never open a book, but he pours over his hunting and fishing magazines.
Even if these observations don’t exactly fit your experience, maybe we can take this information and creatively find new ways to pull our hesitant friends, spouses, and children into the wonderful world of reading. There are so many more options out there – we should remember that “reading” doesn’t just mean “books”.
Grab them with a magazine
With that in mind, let me recommend a popular periodical in our house: National Geographic Kids. Packed with interesting photos, NG Kids usually features a behind the scenes look into an upcoming movie release, as well as articles on the environment, science, and a regular page called “Weird but True.” (Did you know that a man once blew a bubble gum bubble that was bigger than a basketball? My daughter told me this after I scolded her for continuous bubble blowing.)
I’m considering giving magazine subscriptions for birthday gifts now- a great way to encourage reading that lasts for 12 months! If you know someone who doesn’t like to read, stop at the store and find a magazine about something that interests them – maybe a hobby or a sport, but not a gossip magazine, please. Then, leave it lying where they can find it. See if they pick it up. Tell me what happens.
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Julia
SO True about boys! My son loved Sports Illustrated for kids, and they also have a teen version. I would do anything to get him to read. I still will, and he’s in college 😉
I didn’t realize that there’s a teen version of SI! Great! I imagine I’ll be like you, still giving them reading suggestions when they’re away at school!
I love the idea of giving magazine subscriptions for birthday presents. I have 3 nephews with birthdays coming up and you’ve given me a great idea!
Glad to hear it.
Really great idea, Julia. My son and husband both devour books, but I think that is unusual. And my son really only reads popular fiction – Harry Potter and Hunger Games over and over and over…He pores over his Scouting magazine though and will go crazy over the “How To” books on weapons. Scary? Sometimes I think so! But he’s a good boy, he’s just a boy 🙂
Yes, a little scary, but better he get educated, right?
Julia,
This is so true – my boys also enjoy reading magazines esp. those geared to their age and hobbies – Focus on Family has good age appropriate ones and Compassion does too! Thanks for these tips. 🙂
Blessings, Hester 🙂
Thank you for the additional suggestions!