Making the Fun out of Reading Count

Reading aloud to children should be fun for both the audience and the reader. Children are marvelously perceptive. If you aren't really enjoying yourself, they'll know. Put more into it than simply speaking words from a page. Make it exciting. This sense of fun will make you want to delight your children and you might even get a kick out of it. The story will become so much more than words and pictures. It's this kind of reading fun that gives children a desire to recreate that world of fun themselves. They'll have a strong need to read books for themselves.

The easiest way to read to make reading aloud fun, apart from putting some expression into it, is by using different voices for each character. This doesn't have to be difficult. Try out high pitched voices for small characters and deep voices for big characters. Sound noises aloud. If something or someone fell into the water with a splash, read the sound as spl--assshhh. Make animal noises and car sounds. Use props to liven up the story. Simple hats, scarves and even toys help children identify characters and what they do. Act out movements. A giant in the story is more fun when you stomp your feet on the floor each time he walks onto a page. If something is far off in the story, raise your hand to your face, shielding an imaginary sun, as you peer into the distance. Encourage your kids to join in with you. They might like to wear a hat or act out a favorite part. They'll have many favorites when you start to read aloud in this way.