128 HAWAII PARENT July/August 2025 wander around the library, pick a book and sit down to page through it.” Ms. Fenton agrees, suggesting that parents should make visit to the library “a family habit, and as common as a regular visit to the grocery store.” Young boys can browse shelves with picture books on their own, while older boys can read book summaries and use the electronic catalogue to search for books that they find interesting. In a nutshell, going to the library shouldn’t be something for rare or special occasions, but rather a regular activity that your entire family looks forward to doing together. Let Your Sons See You Read It’s important that your sons see you read. Dr. Margaret Merga, a literacy researcher, says that parents serve as role authors of The Psychology of Reading, say that parents should “let boys choose, and help them find, the kind of books and other materials they want to read.” While you don’t want to unnecessarily limit your sons’ reading interests, studies show that boys prefer to read about topics that relate to their lives, interests, and imagination. Dr. Jeff Wilhelm, a professor of English Education, sums it up well: “boys like to read what’s toolish, not schoolish,” meaning that “boys prefer reading things that have something they can immediately use, talk about, argue about, or do something with.” Take Them To The Library Take them to the library and let them explore available books and collections. As Dr. Furstenberg says, “let your son “Boys like to read what’s toolish, not schoolish.” – Dr. Jeff Wilhelm Reading together can help boys build confidence and interest in books.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==