Why is reading aloud to your children the number one suggestion from reading experts across the country?  Because it builds the desire to read -- in only 15 or 20 minutes a day!

• Get comfortable - Offer your children soft mats or pillows to sit on.  Give them blankets to snuggle up in on cold days, or sit near a cool breeze when the weather is warm.  Let them have a snack or drink before you start.
• Remove distractions - Make your reading spot as quiet as possible so your youngsters can focus on the story.  Turn off the television and consider ignoring the phone to avoid interruptions
• Encourage partitipation - Children are apt to enjoy reading more when they're invited to join in.  Let them take turns choosing a book and turning the pages.  If ther's repetition in a story, challenge them to recite the key phrases with you.
• Keep it appropriate - If your children have trouble following the language or plot of a story, it may be too difficult for them.  Look for books that are closes to their reading levels.