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Ties To Literacy Blog

Getting Boys to Dig Reading

Posted on January 29, 2013 by admin

Boys Digging Feb 2012One of the first words that comes to mind when I think about boys and literacy is INTEREST. When approaching literacy skill development for boys, it is very important to consider their interests. Boys are motivated by material of interest , so when you know their interests you have a great set of clues as to how to engage them in the learning process. I recognize this can also be true for girls, but I believe it is even more imperative to be attentive to the interests of boys. I have definitely found myself doing a lot of “out of the box” thinking when it comes to understanding how to engage boys as active learners.

The reason I say it is important to attend to the interests of boys is because most Moms, myself included, are navigating new territory when it comes to raising boys and preparing them for school.

As a mom of 3 boys, one of whom will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, I am concerned on a daily basis about what I know to be true in many of today’s classrooms. I am concerned my son’s interest in asking thousands of questions about the world around him will be silenced by the expectation for him to sit still and attend to the teacher.

I am not alone with this feeling of concern. Many families are very concerned about what they are seeing with their sons in today’s classrooms.

A recent study from the University of Georgia discusses this idea of the “approaches to learning” , and opens the door to more discussions about what is happening in our schools.

Are you concerned?

Learning in Motion

Posted on June 18, 2012 by admin

Young boys learn in motion. The challenge many families face with their young boys is continuously being told they need to have their young boys evaluated for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This is a troubling phenomenon and one that families with young boys face far more often than families with young girls.

I understand the perspective many have on ADHD, however, I do not subscribe to the notion of delivering a quick fix with medication. Our children, especially our young boys, deserve better!

I firmly believe in considering alternative approaches, and not immediately jumping to the conclusion of ADHD, when it comes to meeting the learning needs of young boys. A great place to start is with the idea of learning in motion. When young boys are given opportunities to move and not restricted to sitting quietly in their seat, the possibilities are endless for what can be accomplished.

The challenge for many young boys upon entering most schools, is the emphasis on drilling skills rather than emphasizing play. The belief being perpetuated is scores and mastering skills, such as reading at a very young age, matter more than fostering a love for learning. An article I just came across from Canada, suggests children may become disinterested in reading by age 8 when pushed to learn at a young age.

I would much rather my boys love learning than feel they need to score well on a test. A love for learning is far more important than a test score.

5 Reasons For Focusing on Young Boys’ Achievement

Posted on June 6, 2012 by admin


Young boys need our attention! Unfortunately, not everyone wants to have this conversation because the perception is boys are doing just fine. If you are a mom of boys, like myself, you know we need to have this conversation amongst ourselves and with the educators impacting the lives of our boys. Early childhood education forms a foundation for a child’s future. Boys need positive early education experiences. The reality is, they are not always placed in environments that nurture their nature. I want to bring change to those settings and experiences for educators and families and help them understand how to embrace the active, often impulsive, nature of young boys.

Here are 5 Reasons For Focusing on Young Boys’ Achievement:

  1. Boys are deciding early whether or not school works for them, so we need to create school environments that are welcoming for boys
  2. Boys’ learning needs are not being met, and so we need to provide early childhood educators and families with tools for understanding how to best engage boys
  3. Boys are represented in greater numbers in special education programs, so we need to raise awareness of this disparity and share the fact that research indicates it is more often due to behavior than learning
  4. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, when in fact the behavior is simply them being a boy
  5. Boys’ opportunities for play are being eliminated as recess and physical education time become less of a priority in the face of standards and test scores which is counter to the research highlighting the need for play

Advocating for and Advancing the Learning Needs of Young Boys

Posted on June 4, 2012 by admin


Young Boys’ Achievement Matters!

As summer begins, so begins a renewed energy and emphasis for Ties to Literacy.

When you visit our homepage and navigate through the site, you may notice our updated consulting services and our renewed vision with an emphasis on advocating for and advancing the learning needs of young boys by providing services to families and early childhood educators.

An emphasis on the early childhood literacy and learning experiences for boys is where attention needs to be paid and support provided. With research indicating boys may decide as early as third grade school does not work for them, it is imperative that we pay attention to what is happening to boys in school.

A Boy’s Bookshelf

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin

Humor is a key ingredient to engaging boys as readers.

Alan Katz


Jack Prelutsky

Wordy Wednesday is back! Let’s Celebrate National Poetry Month

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin

Hello everyone! Apologies for the brief hiatus from Wordy Wednesday! With the month of April being National Poetry Month, all topics will center around the writing and reading of poetry.

For young children, poetry is a powerful tool for learning to read. Poetry helps children build vocabulary, recognize language patterns, develop listening skills, and enjoy the playfulness of words.

With young boys, one of the greatest aspects of poetry is the freedom to write about their interests. As I have mentioned countless times before, and will continue to mention, attending to the interests of boys is so important.

Also, for those of you who have reluctant writers at home, poetry can be a great tool because a poem can be short and familiar. Here’s a resource for using Haiku with reluctant boy writers . A fun book to use with boys for Haiku is If Not for the Cat by Jack Prelutsky because the poems focus on animals and are puzzles to be solved with clues from the pictures.

World Autism Awareness Day

Posted on April 2, 2012 by admin

Today is World Autism Awareness Day .

An updated report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 1 in 54 boys is identified on the Autism Spectrum .

Boys Learn in Motion

Posted on March 27, 2012 by admin

In conversations with moms of boys, a common theme often begins to emerge centered around observations of how their boys are constantly in motion. As a mom of three boys, I am aware of their moving bodies all of the time, and I know it is because they are learning at every turn.

Boys learn in motion.

I believe moms become focused on the constant motion of their boys because our society at large does not embrace their exuberance. When boys enter school and demonstrate high levels of activity, the most common recommendation from teachers is a referral for an ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) evaluation leading to medication. I believe strongly in considering alternatives to medication. I do not believe boys need to be medicated to be successful in school.

Boys learn in motion.

In observations of early childhood classrooms, I have found teachers are redirecting behavior of boys more often than that of girls. I believe this contributes to boys disengaging from school at a young age. Wouldn’t you decide you don’t like school if every time you go it feels as though you cannot do anything right?

I have had many conversations with parents who are hesitant to engage teachers in conversations about how often their sons are redirected in class. I encourage and support them in approaching teachers and creating a dialogue around nurturing the nature of their sons.

Boys need advocates in schools. It is imperative that we begin to change the discourse in classrooms and in parent groups related to boys.

Boys learn in motion.

Boys’ Achievement Matters! — Dr. S. Moyers

Wordy Wednesday: World Read Aloud Day

Posted on March 8, 2012 by admin

Today, around the world, so many of us were surrounded by words in honor of World Read Aloud Day . Words that rolled off our tongues and danced in our ears as we shared and listened to favorite stories. Favorite read alouds become mentor texts, and in some instances a best friend, to children as they embark on their own writing adventures. Mentor texts provide a framework for approaching the task of writing in a particular genre. When children are read to, they develop relationships with books, with the reader, and grow to love listening to and telling stories.

What are your favorite read alouds?

A Boy’s Bookshelf: Celebrating Read Across America

Posted on March 3, 2012 by admin

(A little bit of rhyme)…Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! The rhythm and rhyme of the language you use, engages boys with each book they choose. A timeless favorite, The Cat in the Hat, with humor, adventure, and mischief galore. All elements boys simply adore. The Lorax is featured this year for all to explore. To reflect upon nature and what you can do for the world outside your door…(end of rhyme)

Boys are naturally drawn to the wonders of nature. Another book that comes to mind, is Chris Van Allsburg’s Just A Dream . Exploring the wonders of nature opens the doors to so many possibilities for reading, especially nonfiction titles. The Magic Tree House Series , has nonfiction titles that are companions to the fiction series. I know many boys who have become more interested in reading because of The Magic Tree House books.