Read with your children.  Note the word WITH.  For pre-readers this looks different than it does for readers but I still think WITH is important!

If you are sharing a book with a pre-reader be sure to stop often.  Talk about the pictures.  Talk about how the characters are feeling.  Ask what is going to happen next.  Be sure to wait for answers.  The younger the child, the longer you should wait.  If you are both taking turns talking you are doing it right!  The child should be contributing to the story.

For beginner readers try taking turns with the reading task.  Maybe they read the left hand page and you the right.  They will tire faster than you will so don’t force it.  We all love to be read to.  But do continue to stop often.  Talk about the pictures.  Talk about how the characters must feel.  Ask what they think will happen next.  Once again, you should both be contributing to the conversation so allow time for them to talk.

For readers maybe you could take turns with chapters.  But there is no need to force it, as I said previously.  They will most likely still like you to read to them.  But, once again, don’t just read.  Stop and talk about the book and what is happening.

If you happen to have a reader that thinks they are too old to be read to (Nonsense!  I’m old and I love to be read to!!) maybe you could both read the same book and chat about it after each couple of chapters.  Another great way to share the books would be to start a parent/child book club.  You could all read the same book and then come together to talk about it.

You may see a pattern here.  Your interaction with your child’s reading process will help build language usage skills, comprehension, and vocabulary!  You will build a stronger bond with your child and hopefully instill a love of reading in the process!