How can we encourage children to read instead of watching television and how can we get them to be more active

I was a role model for my children as they saw me reading a lot. I took them to the Library. I bought them books for birthdays and Christmas. I now buy my Grandchildren books for their birthdays. My eldest Grandson would much rather read than watch T.V. or play video games. He will be off to college in a year!He received books as always from me. He looks forward to new books from me. He is 15 and he was skipped a year in school. I attribute reading to this. When my son's were growing up we had a games night. We had several different games we would play, & the T.V. was off. We also had an artistic night. We would draw pictures and write poetry. I am a published poet and I taught my son's that it wasn't such a tricky game... to think of words that sound the same... My son's looked forward to those no T.V. nights. Parents must become involved in their children's lives insofar as the children discovering the joy of reading. One son has used his poetry skills to write songs and he has had one song recorded and the other son went to college on an art scholarship. In conclusion parents must take time to be a role model to their children they must take the time to read with them they must take an active role in their child's learning process.

I grew up without T.V. as well we listened to the radio and we did read a lot. I encourage my grandchildren and great grandchildren to read. I give them books and I read to them.

1) If you have young children, READ TO THEM!!! If you wait until they are in school, you've waited too long. 2) Lead by example; let your children see YOU reading. Don't do the "Do as I say, not as I do" routine - kids have more sense than that. 3) Get books into your home. Don't count on the library; BUY THEM; an inexpensive used paperback tells the same story as a pricey leather-bound volume. 4) Turn off the &%$#@ TV (and stick to it!!!)

In so many families these days, both parents have to work to make ends meet. Of course, there are those parents whose desire for the best of everything necessitates two incomes to pay for things they want, not necessarily need. With that said, I believe the decline in the numbers of fulltime stay-at-home mothers has had a significant impact on the children. A lot of children in homes where both parents work have to compete for their parents' time. When the parents get home they are usually tired. The mother still has supper to fix, wash dishes, clothes to wash, and so forth. Some fathers help with the chores, but so many don't, leaving the mother with a heavy burden to carry. Setting aside some "family time" in the evenings would help parents reconnect to their children's needs. Interacting with the children by asking them about their day and allowing them to ask questions about their parents' day would open a line of communication. Family time can also be used for reading, playing board games, or crafts.

I read about a guy is America who had his son's TV run off a car battery, that got charged off an exercise bike. So to watch a favourite programme, he had to put some exercise in. Also he avoided watching trash that just drained his battery. Smart parent or what!

Interesting question...I was raised on a farm and the TV was rarely ever turned on....late 60's early 70's. But my parents had trouble keeping me in the house. But, that is a different story. To answer your question you have to give the kids something else to do. It is as simple as turning the TV off (you are the adult) and actually being a parent...not just someone that has a child. When I was raising my daughter...I was very busy running a business and raising a child by myself...but I always made four nights that were just ours. Two of them were story nights (one from me and one from her)...the other two where to get out of the house and do something outside. Oh, I almost forgot....I also played a lot of music to entertain us too. This actually gave us something to talk about too...I could ask her what she thought the lyrics meant...and then I would tell her my opinion. This might not work for everyone...but, it seems I did something right she speaks three languages and is a manager of a major corporation...she is doing well. And, yes I know that you aren't looking for a definite answer...you just wanted to start the idea. Well, it was a very good question...and everyone should answer it before having kids.

I do believe the Harry Potter books brought a lot of people back to reading. So more good books need to be written.

turn tv off they get 30mins tv at night if they read for 30mins and playout for 30mins a day but of corse they can read and play out for longer

We can't go back in time and we wouldn't want to for so many other reasons. I'm not sure how old your children are and that definitely matters as far as strategies are concerned. If your kids are not old enough to use the tv themselves, then take advantage of that and leave the tv off. I would try not to pit the tv and computer against reading. In their minds, computers and games and tv come out on top. They are so much more initially stimulating and offer immediate gratification. READ to your kids, out loud no matter how old they are. Read to each other out loud. Talk about why or why you did not like a book and its characters and story. Read the newspaper and share the info with each other. Be sure your children see you reading for pleasure. Let them read for pleasure. Leave books all over the house -- in the bathroom, on your nightstand right near your bed, on coffee tables. Gotta go now.