How to Encourage Boys to Write: Turn Writing into Play

When we think about boys of all ages, we do not usually associate them with having advanced writing skills. In fact, writing seems to be more of a sissified, girlish thing to many of them. At the same time, literacy is equally important for boys and girls.

The question becomes how to encourage boys to write.

The article entitled “Seven great ways to encourage kid’s writing” suggests turning writing into play, particularly play that includes parents. How boys love to play! 

"The child can never learn to play without the parent playing with the child. Play … is a huge creative potential built within the child, which never develops unless it is stimulated by the adult model, the parent."

Consider the following suggestions:

Writing, like reading, is not gender specific. In fact, writing is anything but gender specific. Boys often, but not always, enjoy writing about the same kinds of things that girls do. Many boys become excellent writers when given the incentive to write.

In other words, some boys are natural born, ardent writers, who can barely wait to pen down whatever is important to them. Others may not enjoy writing or even dread having to write. Helping them learn how to write properly is important.

Encouraging boys to write regularly is a good idea. Learning how to keep a blog or a journal about their lives may prove beneficial. If they can write about whatever else interests them, it may encourage boys to write daily. It may also prove helpful to have them read what they have written to someone else including teachers, parents, peers or children.

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Finding out what boys like to read will often encourage them in terms of developing their writing skills further.

For example, many boys are sports-oriented, love animals, science fiction or other topics like outer space. When what they read becomes an adventure that excites them, it is a good time to challenge them to write. Even young boys can write excellent short stories or even poetry. Fact or fiction does not really matter.  

Avoiding unnecessary criticism with respect to what boys write is important, as they can prove to be equally sensitive when it comes to having their writing criticized by others. Some boys are more sensitive than girls are, when others read their work. There are times when the best way a boy can express his thoughts and feelings is through writing, but he may be embarrassed or reluctant to show what he has written to anyone else.

Parents who write on a regular basis, can set a good example for boys. 

For example, a young boy who sees his father and grandfather writing regularly is likely to write too, as he tries to follow their footsteps. Some boys write because their mothers, grandmothers or other family members do. The significant other in a boy’s life often leads and encourages him to do things that he may not want to do, or even try, otherwise. Other role models of male writers often give boys the incentive to write.

Writing should be fun for boys, but not all boys find writing skills come easily to them. Many of them are behind girls developmentally. Being gangly, uncoordinated or awkward, etc. can make it difficult for boys of all ages to write. At times, practice and more practice can bring about remarkable improvement in writing.

Boys who have difficulty writing often benefit from having a good dictionary and a thesaurus. The continual introduction of new words, including spelling and grammar is important, but boys may not excel in these areas at school.

Writing skills improve with time and effort, positive reinforcement and encouragement from others. Rejection of a boy’s writing may cause him to be reluctant to write, especially when rejection comes from someone important to him.            

The question of how to turn writing into fun for boys is something that teachers and parents alike often ponder. Computer programs and games of various kinds can be fun and prove beneficial in terms of encouraging boys to write well. Writing things that are fun can make writing seem more like play, while it enhances a boy’s learning curve, at the same time. A mentor who enjoys writing may offer encouragement to boys.

Rewards for writing well are good incentives. Boys that learn how to write well when they are young usually excel at school and often go on to amazing careers where the ability to write matters, so encouraging boys to write is important.