On Boys :: The Truth About Reading and Writing

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On Boys - The Truth About Reading and Writing - Columbia SC Moms Blog (2)The other day my husband announced to me that we really needed to start working on our son’s literacy skills.

I tilted my head and was like, “What do you mean?”

In my mind, our son is essentially a literary genius. I mean, he’s 3. He can do basic signs for please, thank you, milk, etc. All of which he learned before he could actually talk {thanks to some friends who encouraged me to teach my kids to sign, well before I was even married!}. He knows the alphabet in both spoken, song, and sign language. He recognizes letters and can spell his name: R-e-y-n-o-l-d-s. Seven letters, y’all. Genius.

Okay, so maybe not a genius, but for 3-years-old … I think he’s doing pretty good, right?

Well then my husband starts giving me facts and statistics about boys and how they are trailing behind their female counterparts:

So now that some of you are completely overwhelmed {some of you may be living this in real-life}, here are some things that I found that could help boys in developing a love/like for reading and writing, thus strengthening those skills:

  • Find things that are boy-focused: comic books, sports books/magazines, books about trucks, construction equipment, etc.
  • Read books aloud; perform the things you’re reading! This helps with that being active and having a LOT of energy thing!
  • Allow your son to pick out his own books, stories, etc. {Libraries are free!!}
  • Ask him questions about the books he’s reading: What does he see, hear, and think about?
  • Let him see you, your spouse, your significant other reading and allow him to engage with you about what you’re reading. {Provided your literary choice is child-question-appropriate…}
  • Allow him to draw things things that interest him, which might mean things like aliens! We purchased a big roll of white paper from Michael’s and have a can of crayons out for him to color/draw whenever he wants.
  • Draw with him!
  • Have him make up his own story about a drawing. Ask him questions about the drawing. Get engaged!
  • Have him help write thank you notes to friends {especially after his birthday}. There are several fill-in types out there, like these from Amazon.
  • Have him sign the birthday card for a friend, relative, neighbor, etc.
  • Let him see you writing letters, thank yous, or sending birthday or other cards {real mail is so fun to send and receive!!}.
  • Turn off the tv, the tablet, the phone, the devices!!!

I have no idea if our son will LOVE to read and write. We do a lot of the things listed above and will continue to encourage him in these areas. But ultimately a lot of it will be left up to him, right?

How is your son doing with reading and writing? Does he have a love for it? Please share any ideas with the rest of us “boy moms!”

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Michelle Lucas
Michelle is a Georgia girl – born and bred in Macon, and a graduate of UGA (no booing!). She moved to Columbia in 2003 and has loved it here ever since. As a full time working outside-the-home wife to Andrew (5+yrs) and mom to Reynolds (3) and Eliza Jane (18mos), she has her hands and life very full! Michelle started her blog, Camellias and Copper in the Spring of 2014 and it has been a wonderful journey so far. Michelle blogs about everything from her faith to getting hijacked by her kids and locked in the bathroom, vacations (and all the packing!), food and anything in between. A favorite weekend enjoyment is hosting Sunday Suppers for their neighbors and friends.

2 COMMENTS

  1. You have an amazing son who is eager to learn. I have known him since an infant. I work at the daycare he attends. He does have a lot of energy as most boys do. When learning anything he is very attentive. He picks up fast. You guys are doing a great job as parents. Keep up the good work.

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