Myself, Nicola Leete from the UC and librarian Mr Ben Eldridge, recently held an information evening for parents on encouraging their boys to read. I am aiming to run another information session later in the year that will focus on strategic reading and reading for exams (so please keep an eye out for this). It is my understanding that a number of parents were interested in the presentation on encouraging reading, therefore I have included links at the bottom of this article to key information.

Let me begin by highlighting the importance of reading. It is the gatekeeper for academic performance at school, and so, is instrumental in allowing our young men to become the best possible versions of themselves. Overwhelming research exists stressing the importance of reading in this regard, but likewise, evidence shows that the more a student reads recreationally the better they do academically. Allow me to repeat that…the more a student reads recreationally the better they do in their schooling. This gives us great incentive to strongly champion and promote reading to our boys. Cast an eye over the data table below which illustrates this point excellently. In this research it was found students whom read approximately 1hr per day were academically in the top echelon, the top 3%. Similarly, those students reading just 1min per day were around the bottom 30%. Note also how quickly the amount of words read per year stacks up. With just under 10mins of independent reading per day that equates to over 600’000 words read for the year. What fantastic exposure!

Source = Variation in amount of independent reading (adapted slightly from Cunningham & Stanovich 1998)

Benefits from reading flow far beyond academic ability and performance; proficiency in reading and writing, general knowledge, and dare I say enjoyment, can also be bolstered through independent reading. For the time being it is more than enough to understand the clear correlation that exists between the amount of time reading and academic performance to motivate us to get boys [and girls] reading. What they are reading is of less importance to the simple fact that they are reading. It is true that the right book for your boy is the one he wants to read!

For more information on this please use the links below to access further resources.

Please follow this link to view the PPT presentation I gave at the end of last term on encouraging recreational reading. You will find advice and ideas here to get your boys reading.

Please follow this link to an excellent free resource I found produced by the Canadian Ministry of Education on promoting reading to boys. I used this resource a lot in my presentation.

If you had any questions, comments or requests for future information sessions please do not hesitate to contact me at cwilson@stbedes.school.nz.