By: Maya Listman

A new study shows that kindergarten aged girls are more interested in reading and other linguistically stimulating activities than their male counterparts. The study was performed by Elizabeth Brekke Stangeland at the University of Stavangar, through information gathered from kindergarten teacher observations.

Stangeland studied 1005 kindergarten children between the ages of 30 and 33 months in Stavanger, Norway. The study showed that the girls were more interested and willing participants in language activities such as reading and singing than boys were. Stangeland explains that by not participating in these activities, boys lose out on important stimulation that promotes language skills. At a pivotal time in a child’s language development, this could affect their reading skills later.

Stangeland explains that because girls are more willing to participate, “We owe it to the boys to meet them in their own environment and offer them language activities on their terms." Award winning author and former teacher Nick Hornby exemplified this idea when he coaxed his son into reading a book by telling him it was “highly inappropriate and one of the most banned books in America.”

Meet your nephew on his terms when it comes to language activities. Incorporate rhyming, singing, or word games into the activities he typically enjoys.

Photo: Esben Klinker
Published: September 1, 2015