Three tips for improving boys' reading

Learn about: Three tips for improving boys' reading from Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC,...
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Three tips for improving boys' reading

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Helping your son to read is a crucial thing. It's going to lead to success in school and in life. There are some things we can do. The first thing to do is understand why the son may be resistant. Some boys read a lot, but some boys resist it. One reason they resist it is that they are only doing verbals in a small part of their brain, over here on the left. They have this whole other part of the brain that wants to move around, that wants to be spatial that want to visual and doesn't want to read. All over the world, all industrialized countries, all 52 countries, girls are ahead of reading than boys; all over the world. So this is one of the brain differences. So we need to do something about it. One, let boys move around when they read. If they move around when they read, their brain is excited and it stimulates part of the brain that allow reading to come in. It seems counter-intuitive because you want them to sit still. No let them move around. If they are younger, let them read out loud with us and read out loud with them. If we read out loud, they have to listen and be accountable, and they are reading a story and engaging with them and bonding with us. Bonding and reading together are great. Number three, let them pick books that they want. This includes schools, they need allow girls and boys to pick the types of books to read and report on those books.. Those three things, we have a lot of data from 2,000 schools and does really improve reading.

Learn about: Three tips for improving boys' reading from Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC,...

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Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC

Family Counselor & Author

Michael Gurian is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books published in 21 languages. He provides counseling services at the Marycliff Center, in Spokane, Washington. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people's philosopher" for his ability to bring together people's ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

 He has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations, and public policy. A number of his books have sparked national debate, including The Wonder of Girls, The Wonder of Boys, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, and The Minds of Boys.



Michael has served as a consultant to families, corporations, therapists, physicians, school districts, community agencies, churches, criminal justice personnel and other professionals, traveling to approximately 20 cities per year to keynote at conferences. His training videos (also available as DVDs) for parents and volunteers are used by Big Brother and Big Sister agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

 As an educator, Michael previously taught at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Ankara University.  His speaking engagements include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Macalester College, University of Colorado, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and UCLA. His philosophy reflects the diverse cultures (European, Asian, Middle Eastern and American) in which he has lived, worked and studied.

Michael's work has been featured in various media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, People Magazine, Reader's Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS and National Public Radio.

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