Articles

Our friends over at Raising Boys and Girls have put together a great Spotify playlist of their podcasts focused on raising boys:

Top 10 Book Recommendations for Parents Looking for a summer read? The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud and Ned Johnson Free to Learn by Peter Gray Taming the Technology Monster by Sissy Goff Homesick and Happy by Michael Thompson Until the Streetlights Come On by Ginny Yurich Capable by David Thomas and Sissy Goff Let Them Be Kids by Jessica Smartt The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel

As we move into the summer months, we are especially mindful of the natural “summer learning slide” that can occur when routines shift and school is not in session. With this in mind, the Center is sharing practical, research-informed ideas to support families at home—simple ways to keep curiosity alive, strengthen habits of reading and movement, and encourage meaningful connection throughout the summer season.

When boys are bored, their minds are pushed to think, imagine, and create. A stick becomes a sword. The backyard becomes a battlefield. A cardboard box turns into a fort, a spaceship, or a secret hideout. This kind of imaginative play is not just fun—it builds creativity, problem-solving skills, and independence.