Boys Alive! With Janet Allison Returns to the Woodlands Children's Museum

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Raising boys can be a challenge – and there is no instruction manual to lead the way to the best results.

Luckily for parents, Janet Allison is here to help. Her book, “Boys Alive! Bring Out Their Best,” offers tips on how to communicate better with boys.

The author also travels the country, sharing her ideas at speaking engagements and training sessions.

Allison will offer her strategies for raising confident and capable boys in two separate seminars – from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, and 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 – at The Woodlands Children’s Museum, 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Suite 280.

The cost to attend is $35 per person. Interested participants may register online at boysalive.com/workshops.

Allison said she realized that there was a major difference in communicating with girls and boys while working her first teaching job. The first grade class she led had 10 boys and two girls.

“Nowhere in any of my training or reading had I learned how differently boys are than girls as learners,” Allison said. “The boys challenged me to look at education differently. They needed active movement before, during and after school; they needed lessons that were active and hands-on. I was puzzled, challenged and exhausted that year.”

As Allison continued teaching and began coaching families, many parents expressed their frustration with the exuberance of their boys – including taking risks and their high need for physical activities.

“Our boys are really struggling socially, emotionally and academically,” she said. “We can see it in our disengaged young men – high school dropout rates are high and college attendance rates are low for males. These are signs that the system has to change early – in preschools, kindergartens, elementary schools – we've got to start teaching and parenting the way that boys need us to.”

Angela Colton, executive director of The Woodlands Children’s Museum, said she looks forward to hosting the event.

“Janet has helped many parents better understand their sons,” Colton said. “She will discuss gender differences and provide practical techniques to help nurture and encourage boys. Her wisdom has helped me communicate better with my grown sons, young grandson, staff, my husband, even the plumber. Do not miss this.”

The Woodlands Children’s Museum is dedicated to providing outstanding resources to parents. The museum has a full calendar of exciting activities. Daily Admission is $5 per person 2 years and older. Admission is free for children under 2 and museum members. Recommended for ages 7 years and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. To learn more, visit woodlandschildrensmuseum.org or call 281-465-0955.

To learn more about Janet Allison, visit boysalive.com.

Now celebrating its fifth year at its current location, The Woodlands Children’s Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, empowering and exciting children and their families in lifelong learning and discovery. The Museum also provides multi-ethnic and multicultural experiences encouraging children to celebrate and embrace cultural and global differences and strengthen common bonds. Year-round, hands-on activities – from reading and art to science and magic – are all intended to make a positive difference in the life of a child. The museum also offers free admission to military personnel and their families and is a proud member of the Blue Star Museums program.