1. Cultivate the habit of reading aloud by making a commitment - for some families, it may take some time to enjoy fully and feel comfortable with reading aloud
2. Create a special time and place for reading aloud in your home.
3. Choose a book that is fun and interesting for both you and your child. If either of you is bored, find another book - there is a book for everyone!
4. Be a ham! Read with expression and feeling - try different voices and sounds - make the snake hisssss and the door creeeak! Use pacing by reading slower or faster as the story changes.
5. Preview your read-aloud book to be sure it has action and emotional impact, so that you and your child can share these experiences together.
6. Sit close together and enjoy each other’s company.
7. Visit the library often and let your child help select books for reading aloud. Ask the youth librarian for suggestions.
8. Encourage your child to be involved by talking about the book. Share your feelings with each other during exciting or sad parts.

source: Read Aloud Virginia

1. Find a time to read when you can both relax and enjoy it - try bedtime, nap time, snack time, after dinner.
2. Get comfortable. Find a cozy spot to read and make sure the TV and other distractions are off.
3. Read the book or story yourself before you read it to your child.
4. If your child doesn’t like a book, switch to another. If he or she isn’t in the mood, stop reading and try again later.
5. Go to the library with your children regularly. Ask the librarian to recommend books and book lists. Get your children their own library cards.
6. Build a home collection of books. Shop at garage and book sales. Trade books with friends.
7. Encourage your children to look at books on their own. Let them take books to bed and read themselves to sleep, but don’t ask questions.

1. You don’t have to be a great reader, just read from the heart.
2. Make it fun. It’s not a lesson.
3. Talk about the stories with your child, but don’t ask questions.

source: Read Aloud America