5 Simple Ways to Get Your Boy to Read

Guest Post by Jed, age 15

Hey, I’m Jed, and I’ll be taking over my mum’s blog for my work experience. My first post is about how to get your boy to read. Hope you enjoy it!

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5 Simple Ways to Get Your Boy to Read

Storytelling has always been a cornerstone of human development and entertainment. It provides us with knowledge, language skills, happiness, and much more. And without books to read, our understanding of the world would be significantly diminished. Despite its importance, reading rates have declined. In 2023, the National Literacy Trust reported that only 43.4% of children and young people aged 8 to 18 enjoyed reading, and fewer than 28% read daily. Younger generations are missing out on the joys and benefits of reading, often preferring their phones and social media instead. So how do you get your boy to read? As someone who rarely reads books anymore, I understand the challenge. Here are five ways to encourage boys to put down their phones and immerse themselves in a good book.

1. Set Screen Time Limits

Limiting screen time can encourage boys to read. Common Sense Media found that teenage boys average 9 hours and 16 minutes of screen time per day, which is absurd to me, as I thought I used my phone a lot but mine is only a third of this. I asked my mum if she believed this stat, and she said it’s probably double this! To reduce this, parents can set limits on their children’s devices. For example, parents can set a 30-minute daily limit on their child’s phone, requiring a password to unlock it. To earn more screen time, the child must complete 30 minutes of reading. This strategy motivates children to read, as they want to regain access to their phones, resulting in a win-win situation. I know this could motivate me and many other teenagers to pick up a book to get our phones back!

2. Offer Rewards

Rewards can be a powerful motivator. Teenagers are often willing to read if promised a reward. These can include trips, vouchers for more books, or even a small sum of money. Personally, the prospect of a reward motivates me to read (for me, especially money, because who doesn’t love money?), and it can work for many other teenage boys. However, a downside to this could be that some children would stop reading if they were no longer promised money/rewards and may stop all together. Hopefully, over time, these rewards can encourage good reading habits that they carry into adulthood, eventually fostering a genuine love for reading without the need for external incentives.

3. Provide General Encouragement

Surprisingly, according to the National Literacy Trust, only 52.9% of 8 to 18-year-olds are encouraged to read by their parents or carers. To improve this, parents can buy books based on their children’s interests. Asking about their preferred genres and selecting books accordingly can make a big difference in getting a boy to read. For instance, I enjoy sports books, such as the Jamie Johnson series, or Crossover and Rebound by Kwame Alexander, which are two of my favourites. Having books based on my interests makes reading more enjoyable for me. Once a child enjoys a book in a particular genre, they are more likely to seek out other books and explore new genres.

4. Create a Reading Routine

Establishing a regular reading routine can help boys develop a habit of reading. Set aside a specific time each day for reading, such as before bed or after dinner. In my family, I used to read with my dad after dinner and this was one of the times I enjoyed reading the most. This routine makes reading a normal part of their day and helps reduce the allure of screens.

5. Lead by Example

Children often mimic their parents’ behaviour. By showing your own love for reading, you can inspire your children to do the same. Share your reading experiences with them, discuss books, and read together as a family. This not only fosters a love for reading but also strengthens family bonds.

To sum up, parents must continually emphasise the importance of reading and its numerous benefits, such as strengthening the brain, reducing stress, and expanding knowledge. These benefits have encouraged me to read more in the past and have helped me to improve my vocabulary and writing as well. Cliffhangers, comedy, and reaching the climax of the story are some things that make me unable to put books down! Stories are a wonderful and immersive form of entertainment, and society must give reading the value it deserves.