‘Reading for pleasure is the most important way to advance literacy attainment in children.’ (National Literacy Trust UK, 2006)
Reading is the most valuable skill a person can learn and reading for pleasure is the most effective way to develop this skill. Reading requires regular practice in order to attain mastery, much like riding a bike or learning to play a musical instrument.
Research, both formal and anecdotal, confirms that one of the greatest tools for improving verbal and written literacy is reading. Regular reading improves expression, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling while increasing understanding and self-confidence. In short, it empowers the individual and will help increase competence in almost every facet of an individual’s life.

So what can I do to help encourage my son to read?

 Acceptance: Accept the broad range of reading in which your son is engaged in. Not all boys will be drawn to reading the “classics” and if this is all we will accept from them, they are likely to further turn away from reading. Encourage your son when he reads a variety of texts including newspapers, magazines, websites, comics, graphic novels, humorous books, fiction and non-fiction. It is all reading and is helping your son further develop his skills as a reader.
 Modelling: A male role model is invaluable as teenage boys often view reading as a feminine activity. Teenage boys need to see that men read too. A powerful act is for dad or a significant male to read the same books as your son and open up discussion about this book. It not only sends the message that reading is valuable, but also that your son is valuable and that you are interested in what he is involved in.
 Environment: Try to provide a home environment that values reading. Keep reading material available and let your son see you reading. Ideally, set a regular reading time, such as 20 minutes of reading each night before bed. It is important to build a reading culture around boys. On a long road trip play an audio book.
 Praise: Praise all efforts your son makes in reading. Do not criticise your son if he is reading magazines or graphic novels.
 Tap into their interests: Try to match reading material with your son’s interests. If your son is not reading for pleasure, perhaps begin by purchasing him magazines or information books in his interest area. It is OK if your son is reading comics – encourage this and then start to slowly introduce new and more challenging texts. Have a look at the Top 10 list in the reading pamphlet provided. All of these books are extremely popular with Joeys boys, and most are part of a series and the boys will often get hooked once they start the first book.
 Embrace other technologies: Many teenagers enjoy technology so try to get it working for you:
o encourage them to read blogs on topics that interest them
o if they loved a particular movie, buy or borrow the book from which the movie was adapted. The book is almost always better.
o encourage them to go online to find out more about a movie they have enjoyed
o try an eReader. Some teenagers love to read from an electronic device. We have eBooks available for loan in the Joeys library, as do most public libraries.
 Don’t give up: keep encouraging him to read.