This program has been successful in locations of all kind -- malls, markets, parks, playgrounds and busses. It works and it's fun!
Occasionally, we encounter a family not willing to participate. That's fine -- the Street Readers just move on. We are conscious of safety issues too. Each team is accompanied by an adult, each Street Reader is clearly identified and we never approach unaccompanied children.
Street Reading can work for you, too. Get a Teen Reading Team started in your community.
Young people today are growing up and living in an oral culture. What they know comes largely from radio, TV, movies, music, videos and conversation. This fact must be considered when we talk about reading and literacy.
We can't ignore the electronic culture, so let's use it to promote and support reading and literacy. Here are a few ideas:
TV Guide is the best-selling magazine in Canada. Use it, along with your local newspaper guide, to read about TV shows and to discuss viewing with your child. Why not write letters to your children's favourite TV personalities? If possible, invite these TV stars to become celebrity readers in your community.
Your local library will have books on almost everything you see on TV. Take time to note what show or person interests your child and, together, visit the library to pursue that interest through reading.