bookloreforboys

Does your son still draw voluntarily? If he’s a pre-teen or teenager, consider yourself lucky.

Research shows us that, much like reading, boys tend to ditch art earlier than girls (and sooner today than they used to).

But the act of drawing, painting and creating holds real-world rewards for all of us—and reading-related benefits for kids and teens.

Strong readers need minds that can move easily between the vision, hearing and language centers of the brain. The National Academy of Sciences found that art and music help to jumpstart these centers, making reading more possible and more palatable.

Teachers who encourage students to sketch what they read report greater reading comprehension. That’s because drawing tugs on memory and challenges understanding in order for kids to complete a full picture.

Teachers also find that asking teens to study and describe a piece of fine art helps to build the muscles of critical-thinking and brain stamina needed to tackle more complex works of literature.

Plus art is FUN.

Unfortunately, surveys tells us most boys stop drawing by the age of 10. The reasons vary, but typically include a combination of a perceived lack of ability combined with peer pressure. By 12 they decide whether or not they are “an artist.” And if the answer is no, they’re not likely to ever draw again.

If you, like me, hope to encourage lifelong creativity in your boys, follow along @bookloreforboys.

We’ll be discussing ideas all week!

#artforkids
#parentingboys
#raisingreaders