Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Sports, Books, and Kids

Most kids, especially boys, are drawn to sports and would rather pick up a basketball or baseball than a book. This is where parents must guide the youngster’s thinking.

Sports are fine, but children must be exposed to other things by their mothers and fathers, and that includes books, reading, learning.

My own love of poetry came directly from my dad’s willingness to read to all his boys each night back on the farm. I was exposed to reading very early on and developed a love for it before I even realized it. It has stayed with me—to my great benefit—all of my life. All three of my brothers became teachers.

A child must develop a love of academics early, and it usually doesn’t just happen. Mom and Dad have to provide the ...