How can we get the youth to read

[Nefertiti]

With so many distractions today ,video games, radio's blaring, and B.E.T controversy how can we lead them away from these irrelevancy's and convince them that reading is fun and knowledgeable and it can change your whole outlook, it can change you as a person

[Nefertiti]

This is bump-a-ble...BUMP! for the children

[Jalili B. Jimiyu]

Slowly.....

I think first we have to give them something that interest them, a magazine or something about some one they like. Then as they begin to pick up the bug for reading introduce a few new topics they may have never picked up on their own. Read with them READ to them get them books on tape anything to open their minds to the literary word.

[MamaEarthZen]

I started both my boys while they were young..(my little one is still.) Whatever they want to read we read. I also limit the amount of outside media that comes into the household. My oldest complains that we only have 3 working channels on the TV but he will go to the library every week to check out books and read them.

I think that we as parents need to exercise more of our influence in this.

[Abena Afreeka]

I agree with both Jaboom and MamaZen..

Start them early and with something that holds their interest. I started reading @ age 12 or so. I would just get the books lying around the house ...as I recall. I did have an interest in school and learning, so it may have been a bit different. Plus, it was 1972 when I started and I know a lot has changed with the advent of video games and the like.

For those who are resistant, a little reminder of just WHO the 'parent' is and an appropriate exercising of the Power inherent in that role ought be enough. If they have any respect for the parent at any rate. Video games and the like become rewards...as opposed to the norm.
It really does "work if you work it".