Bringing books into boy's lives
2013; Mark Allen Group; Volume: 2013; Issue: 146 Linguagem: Inglês
10.12968/prps.2013.1.146.24
ISSN2052-4587
Autores Tópico(s)Themes in Literature Analysis
ResumoPractical Pre-SchoolVol. 2013, No. 146 OpinionFree AccessBringing books into boy's livesViv HampshireViv HampshireViv HampshirePublished Online:29 Sep 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/prps.2013.1.146.24AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail As a library outreach worker, I spend most of my day working with children and books. Bringing the two together can be a magical combination, sparking conversation, curiosity, imagination and ideas.But the magic doesn't always happen automatically. At storytime there will always be the shy child at the back who won't come forward to join in, the disruptive child spoiling everyone else's enjoyment, and the fidget who can't concentrate long enough to engage. These are the children who may need a little extra help before books really start to matter. But, in the early years setting, and even more so when a child moves on to school, the opportunities to offer these children the concentrated one-to-one time and attention they need will probably be few. Recent moves towards increasing child: staff ratios will only serve to worsen the situation.'Without enthusiastic males as reading role models, it's only too easy for little boys to grow up dismissing reading as a girly thing to do'The latest findings from the Boys' Reading Commission confirm what many educators already know – that it's the boys who are underachieving when it comes to reading. Of course it's not true of all boys. I know many who thoroughly enjoy listening to stories or curling up independently with a picture book, and who look forward to their regular visits to the local library. Conversely, there are some girls who show little interest in books. But, in general, it's boys who are falling through the net. And it's not just a passing phase. Every indication is that the decline in boys' attitudes and achievements in relation to reading has become a long-term trend. So, what's to blame?One thing I have noticed in my work is that I don't get to see many dads. They're either out at work or are reluctant to turn up at groups where they would be so clearly outnumbered by females. And that often means that the children themselves don't spend much quality reading time with their dads during the day. It's mostly mums who attend baby and toddler groups, accompany their children to the library, and take on the daily reading and rhymes routines at home. Early years workers are predominantly, and often exclusively, female too. Unfortunately, without enthusiastic males as reading role models, and with old-fashioned 'macho' attitudes still rife in some sectors of society, it's only too easy for little boys to grow up dismissing reading as a girly thing to do. So, what can we do about it?Firstly, there's no denying that the foundations for reading need to begin early, and at home. This is where the Bookstart programme really comes into its own, ensuring that every child receives free books and that parents get the advice they need to establish a strong shared reading habit. There is a tendency for many children, and boys in particular, to prefer other forms of entertainment – from TVs constantly switched on to computer games and a whole host of fast, noisy and seemingly more exciting activities that weren't available to earlier generations and leave little time for the simple, quiet enjoyment of a good book. So, let's do all we can to get books into the hands of babies long before they can walk, talk or use a computer, and to encourage dads to get much more involved too. Boys need to see men not only reading, but switching the TV off to do it – and enjoying the experience!Secondly, I have found that children are far more likely to enjoy a book if it reflects their own interests and they have had a hand in choosing it themselves. It doesn't really matter what boys read, so long as they DO read! If they are only interested in cars and trains, or interactive books with flaps and wheels to operate, textured pages and added sound effects, well, there are plenty of books that do all those things if you know where to find them! So, teachers and others working with children do need to keep an open mind, stay attuned to what texts are out there, and select accordingly.March is a great month to focus our attention on books. Thursday 7 is World Book Day, when every schoolchild, and many attending early years settings and library storytimes, will be taking home a book token, exchangeable at bookshops for a specially produced free book. The token can also be used as a money-off coupon towards any other children's book that might appeal.Of the free books on offer this year, the two aimed at the under-fives are Alfie's Shop (featuring a male main character, which can only be a good thing) and Giraffes Can't Dance, with its very clear message that we can all sometimes achieve things we thought were beyond us if we just give them a try. Perhaps, if we work at it, getting boys to fall in love with books could turn out to be something they just have to try. 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