Use sand to help young boys write, says government

Nurseries and childminders are to be told to encourage three- and four-year-old boys to write using materials such as chocolate powder and coloured sand in a bid to stop them falling behind girls.

Government guidance being sent out next month will include advice to set up role-play activities specially designed to interest the youngest boys, such as builders taking phone messages and writing up instructions, post office workers filling in forms, and waiters taking orders.

It is designed to tackle the "stubborn" gender gap among young children. According to official data, more than one in six boys cannot write his own name or simple words such as "mum", "dad" or "cat" after a year of school. Half as many girls have the same problem.



Boys will also be encouraged to make marks on the floor and walls outside.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Some boys don't enjoy writing or see it as relevant – but teachers and practitioners can make it fun and relevant. The guidance will offer practical examples about how to do this.

"Because boys don't seem to be as interested as girls in drawing and mark-making, it is important that practitioners ensure that this doesn't then result in limited access to resources such as paper, crayons, paint etc, and insufficient opportunities or encouragement for boys to write."