Why Young People are Reading Less – and 4 Ways we can Reverse the Trend
The Decline in Volitional Reading report, released last month from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, has been published in response to a global downward trend in young people’s engagement with reading. Alongside international data from both the PiRLS1 (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) and PISA2, recent Australian data has shown that one in…
Why Boys are Behind in School from the Start
I think that you’ll find this interesting – an article from the New York Times (by Claire Cain Miller) on why boys seem to be on the backfoot from the start. I have definitely witnessed Prep becoming more academic. If you’d prefer to listen to the article, click below: Why Boys Are Behind in School…
Inquiry into Boys’ Education
The federal opposition has called on the government to hold a parliamentary inquiry into boys’ education as the education gap between girls and boys continues to grow. Read article from Education Review below ~ Opposition spokesman calls for inquiry into boys’ education The new opposition education spokesman said he was worried boys could be “left…
LFB Features in Twinkl International Publication for Quality Education Insights
Recently I opened the International Reading Conference in the UK. As a testament to my work around boys’ literacy, we were featured in the International Publishing House Twinkl! Read below ~ Literacy specialist, Tanya Grambower, challenges misconceptions around literacy and boys. How to reignite boys’ passion for reading Check out our blogs…
There’s an Education Crisis Among Young Men – latest article
Sharing an article that resonates deeply with my passion for engaging boys in literacy, and indeed education. Let’s face facts about the education crisis among young men by David Maywald Something is going badly wrong for boys in Australian classrooms. It’s costing our sons, our communities and our future workforce. Echoes of Disparity is a…
From NRL to Fantasy Novels: Breaking Stereotypes One Page at a Time
I was an NRL player who locked himself in the toilet to read books in secret. Former NRL player and The Bachelor star Luke Bateman has amassed millions of TikTok views speaking about fantasy fiction from his tractor. This online success led to a book deal, which drew some criticism as he had not yet…
The Importance of Critical Thinking and How to Teach It
Students who learn to interrogate their own questions develop metacognition: thinking about their thinking. Start with the question behind the question A simple shift educators (and parents) can make is helping students examine their thinking process before they reach for AI tools. When a student asks “How do plants grow?” pause and ask: “Are you…
Why we need to stop telling boys that they don’t like reading
Sharing this insightful article from Menios Constantinou’s interview with Laura Scholes (an Associate Professor researching literacy at ACU) on challenging masculinities associated with boys’ failure in reading. “I love to read,” says Jack, a year four boy at a primary school in an economically marginalised town in regional Australia. “My best friends love reading ……
Create a Holiday Reading Nook just for Him!
As the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to nurture a love of reading by creating a cosy book nook at home. A dedicated reading space can turn books into an adventure zone—and make reading feel less like homework and more like fun. Think comfy beanbag or gaming-style chair, soft lighting like a clip-on lamp…
Getting boys reading in the digital age: 5 Actionable Strategies for Parents
In a world where screens compete for every spare moment, encouraging boys to read can feel like a constant battle. Yet, reading remains one of the most powerful tools for improving academic success, and lifelong learning. The good news? With the right strategies, you can help your son discover an interest (perhaps even joy!) in…