Reading aloud helps children develop many skills for reading success:

• Builds vocabulary
• Expands background knowledge
• Stimulates imagination
• Stretches attention span
• Most important: Reading aloud is an advertisement for reading. Reading aloud to children makes them want to read!

• Be enthusiastic!
• Before reading the story: "This is one of my favorites."
• During the reading: "Isn't this great? I love this part."
• At the end: "I could read this book again and again."
• Hold the book so that the child can see it.


• Look at the cover together before reading the book. Let him predict what the book is "about."


• Read the title and author. Provide background information about the author. Choose just one or two points to spark interest. Mention the illustrator, if different than author.


• Read slowly and with expression. Don't hesitate to "change voices" to indicate that a new character is speaking.


• Stop and ask questions to make sure your child is "with you."


• Remember: As you're having fun, you are also "selling reading." Your hidden message: "This is worth doing--or learning to do!"