To continue my series of blogs on reading, it is helpful for parents to be aware of some common characteristics in boys and girls as readers. It is a fact that girls and boys have different reading habits in general. Girls enjoy books on a variety of topics and especially enjoy books by particular authors or series books. They tend to read more fiction than non-fiction, and are not concerned with gender roles in books. Girls will read a Book about a boy who plays baseball as readily as they’ll read books about girls in baseball. Staying with their social nature, girls talk about what they are reading and often recommend and share books among friends.

To facilitate reading for girls, parents should ask questions to engage their daughters in conversations about books they are reading. It is also helpful for parents to buy books from authors with several publications or series books for their daughters. This serves to keep their daughters interest in reading growing as they move from one book to the next.

Boys tend to be a little more specific in their reading choices. They tend to prefer shorter, Reading Materials like age appropriate short books, magazines, graphic novels, and comic books. They are also inclined to read more interest specific materials like science fiction, and nonfiction books on topics they enjoy.

To facilitate reading in reluctant boys it is wise for parents to entice their sons with good age-appropriate materials. Do this by keeping plenty of small books, short stories and magazines on topics of high interest in the home. As a young man grows to show a natural interest in reading begin to challenge him with more lengthy materials on topics he enjoys. When possible, it is helpful for fathers to read to and with boys more often than mothers. This models the value and importance the male figure puts into reading.

Parents, keep in mind that boys and girls read differently. It is best not to expect your son and daughter to share reading materials. This would be an unfair expectation for both children. Instead, be mindful of their personal hobbies and interests as you choose books for them. Keep their enjoyment of reading growing by giving them plenty of reading materials in the home.