ABCs of Raising Boys

I am excited to be joining almost 75 other kid bloggers from around the world in the Kid Blogger Network’s ABC Series. Each participating blogger created their own ABCs of a topic of their choice. I chose, no surprise, to write the ABCs of Raising Boys.

(Note: Before we begin, BMTM recognizes that each boy is an individual and not ALL boys like the same things nor do they behave the same way.)

That said, here is…

Boy Mama Teacher Mama’s ABCs of Raising Boys

A is for Aim

Potty training is almost not always an easy task and when you have boys there is an added challenge and that is AIM or teaching your son how to aim so the pee goes in the toilet instead of, well, everywhere else.

• Boy Mama: Potty Training or Aim Practice?

B is for Behavior

Boys brains and girl brains develop differently and at different rates.  As a parent of boys, it is important to understand this so you can help them, advocate for them and support their learning both in school and out.

• Boy’s Behavior- Why Boys Behave the Way They Do? from Brainy Child
• Are Boys and Girls Really So Different? From Childhood 101

C is for Comic Books (and Graphic Novels)

Yes! Comic Books and Graphic Novels count! They are a valid reading choices for boys! Many books now-a-days incorporate comic book/graphic novel elements to appeal to boy readers. Want to know more? Read this article from The Telegraph: Comic Books ‘Help Boys Read.’ I do not claim to know anything about comic books beyond the Richie Rich and Archie comic books I read as a young child. But, as a mom of boys I am learning daily and the following books are popular with boys for this very reason.

• Magic School Bus Series
• 13 Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
• Comics for Kids from Read that Again
• Try creating your own comics with help from the Nurture Store: Using Comics to Promote Literacy

D is for Dinosaurs

Most boys love dinosaurs. Well, actually, not all boys like them. My eldest is most definitely not a fan of dinosaurs… but there are so many fun dinosaur activities out there for those who do love these fascinating creatures. Here are just a few.

E is for E-readers

Recent studies show that for middle school males, using e-readers improved confidence, skill and interest in reading. For the girls? Just the opposite…. Want to know more? Read this from UPI.com: E-readers Improve Boys’ Reading

• But not for young children….E-Readers or Real Books for Preschoolers from Kindergarten and Preschool for Parents and Teachers.

F is for Firefighters

I could not possibly create an ABCs for Boys and leave out firefighters! There are so many wonderful firefighter books, activities, movies and more available now.  Here are a few favorites and a few resources.

• Books about Firefighters from No Time for Flashcards
• Books about Fire Fighters and Fire Engines from Read that Again
• Boy Mama: Cardboard Box Use #2,489- Building a Burning Building from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Homemade Fire Hose from Busy Bee Kid Crafts
• Ten for Tuesday: Fire Prevention Week from the Good Long Road

G is for Gurian

If you are a parent of a boy (or boys), this is one man you need to know. Michael Gurian, co-founder of the Gurian Institute, has written several important books on understanding and raising boys based on years of research and practical experience.  His books include (but are not limited to) The Wonder of Boys,  Boys and Girls Learn Differently, The Minds of Boys, What Could He Be Thinking and The Good Son.

H is for Hands-On

Research tells and experience shows that boys learn better when they can manipulate their world. Here are some of my favorite ideas from around the web for teaching boys.

• Monster Truck Sight Word Mash from Train Up a Child
• Sight Word Drag Racing from Playdough to Plato
• Science for Kids: Water Bottle Fountain from Learn with Play at Home
• Baseball Math from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

I is for I Love Watching you….

If you haven’t read the post, Six Words You Should Say Today, from Hands Free Mama you must. If you have read it in the past, it is well worth reading again.

J and K are for Just Kidding Around

Boys love to joke around. They love silly jokes and bodily functions. Words like “poop” and “pee” are staples in a boy’s vocabulary.  Knock-knock joke books and books about all things gross are a staple in many young boys’ libraries.

• How about adding some jokes to your child’s lunch?  See Kindergarten Lunchbox Jokes from Preschool and Kindergarten for Parents and Teachers.

L is for Legos

There really isn’t much need to say more. Boys like Legos. My boys LOVE Legos. I really like them too. Here are a few things Boy Mama Teacher Mama had to share about Legos in our home.

• Boy Mama: Love Affair with Legos
• Boy Mama: Lego  Structure Math
• Activities for Kids: 30 Minute Challenge from Picklebums
• Lego Math Activities from Kids Activities Blog
• Roll a Lego…Dice Game from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

M is for Moms of Sons

• 25 Rules for Mothers of Sons from Team Studer
• Dear G, Here is the Thing About Raising Boys from Carrots are Orange

N is for (Things) No One Ever Told Us About Raising Boys…

• Things No One Ever Told Us About Raising a Boy from RaisingBoys.com.au

O is for Organization

Wondering how to organize all those tiny pieces your son(s) has collected? Legos everywhere? You are not alone. Here are some toy organization ideas:

• Boy Mama: Legos Organized- Check! from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Boy Mama: Legos Organized- Follow up from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• A Cleaner Playroom AND a Reading Lesson from Playdough to Plato
• Playful Parenting Tip #4: Toy Storage from The Golden Gleam

P is for Play

I am cheating a bit on this one, or maybe just stretching it. Here are a few of my very favorite play activities from around the web.

• How to Make a Spider Web Obstacle Course from Wildlife Fun 4 Kids
• Blocks of Fun! 40 Block Activities for Kids from Hands on as we Grow
• Kid Friendly Ways to Spark Creativity from Playdough to Plato
• Printable Paper Rockets from Picklebums
• Chalkboard Blocks from Picklebums
• Making a Crane from At Home with Ali

Q is for Quiet

Need I really say more? 🙂 Okay, here is a link about The Importance of Quiet Time from The Pepperrific Life

R is for Respecting Women

Teaching boys to respect girls/women is a challenge for all those raising boys. Here are some thoughts on just how to do this from Thoughts from a Mama of Boys from The Good Long Road

S is for Shoulder to Shoulder

Talking to/with boys can be very different than talking to girls. Boys do not want the same intense eye contact that girls want and need. So, how do you talk to boys in a way that is respectful of their unique needs? Read Shoulder to Shoulder or Face to Face from Raise a Boy.

T is for Treasures

Most children love hunting for treasures. My boys love it.  The “treasures” they bring to me vary from dead dandelions to “gold” they have uncovered in our backyard.  Looking for treasures comes in all varieties. Here are some of the best:

• Garden Treasure Hunt for Painted Rocks from One Perfect Day
• Photo Treasure Hunt from Paint on the Ceiling
• Treasure Rocks from Learn with Play at Home
• Digging for Dinosaur Eggs from One Perfect Day on Be a Fun Mom
• Preschool Treasure Maps from Reading Confetti
• Literacy Spot #34 Library Treasure Hunt from Childhood 101
• X Marks the Spot from Adventures at Home with Mum

U is for Understanding Boys

PBS Parents: Raising Boys is one of the best websites I have come across about understanding and raising boys.  Read it. Book Mark it. Revisit it often.  It is worth it.

V is for Vehicles

Boys love vehicles- of all kinds! Here at Boy Mama Teacher Mama we have shared several of our favorite vehicle books.  What are you favorites?

• Book Mama: Book Series: Vehicles for All Ages
• Book Mama: Boat Books
• Book Mama: Chugga Chugga READ! Books about Trains
• 25 Picture Books about Cars and Trucks from No Time for Flashcards

W is for Websites

Here are some boy centered blogs to check out:

• Raise a Boy
• Frugal Fun for Boys
• All for the Boys

X is for eXit Sign (and other signs)

My boys love signs. They love creating them, using them and simply having them in their possession. We have created several different signs in our home that the boys have loved so dearly that they have fallen apart.

• Boy Mama: Signs, Signs and More Signs! from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Boy Mama: Caution Wet Floor from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Boy Mama: Stop and Go! from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Y is for Why, How, Who and What

Okay, so I cheated a bit on this one too, but you get the idea- right? Boys love information! They love reading non-fiction books, magazines and instruction manuals. These should all be considered legitimate reading choices for boys. So, what are some good suggestions?

• National Geographic Kids (and National Geographic Little Kids)r
• Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr from the National Wildlife Federation
• Sports Illustrated Kids
• Kids Discover (Science)
• Boys’ Life Magazine 

Z is for Zzzzzzzzzzz

Monsters and other creepy things are keeping my boys from being able to sleep.  Books and other monster activities are a great way to help them understand and demystify monsters.

• Monsters Under the Bed? 6 Books to Overcome Fears of Monsters from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Loo Roll Monsters from Red Ted Art’s Blog
• Monster Activities from The Educators’ Spin on It

MOM TIPS & TRICKS:

• Being a Hands on Mom from hands on : as we grow
• Connecting with your Kids from One Perfect Day
• Family Field Trips with Kids from Edventures with Kids
• Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids from Juggling with Kids
• Kids Party Ideas from Mama Pea Pod
• Mama Survival from The Dizzy Mom
• Organized Home from Mamas Like Me
• Printables from Mama Miss
• Raising Boys from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
• Raising Eco-Friendly Kids from Kitchen Counter Chronicles
• Raising Girls from Mess for Less
• Raising a Healthy Kid from Living Life Intentionally
• Raising a Thinking Child from The Outlaw Mom
• Raising Toddlers from Home Learning Journey
• Raising a World Citizen from All Done Monkey
• Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family from Inspired by Family Magazine
• Teaching Kids about Money from Carrots are Orange
• The Family Dinner Table from Connecting Family & Seoul
• Trying A New Experience with Your Children from 52 Brand New
• Values for Children from True Aim Education  

And if you want to see ALL the KBN’s ABC Series, click the link below:

ABC Series from KBN

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