Reading aloud to children is a cornerstone skill for educators and parents. For some, it comes quite naturally, for others, not so much. Here are a seven ways to enhance your read aloud sessions.

• Preview the story to get a feel for it. Is it funny or serious? Does it rhyme or have a pattern? Is there a surprise?
  
• Use character voices for dialogue. Make the narrator sounds different form characters by using different voices. For example, maybe the mouse has a little tiny voice.
• Shift the pace or rhythm. Speed up during an exciting part or slow down to build tension.
• Try volume or pitch changes. First be sure you are loud enough to hear easily. At a quiet part of the story, you may drop your voice to a whisper.
  
• Use articulation. At all times, pronounce each word clearly. You may need to exaggerate the sounds. It helps to warm up even by saying the vowels over and over in a big way A-A-A-A, E-E-E-E, etc.
  
• Offer an interpretation. This helps the listener get the meaning. If a character is confused, read it confused. If there is humor, help highlight it through your reading.
• Choose the key word. For each line, chose the most important words and emphasize them.
  

Okay, now you're ready. Go find some great books and read them aloud. To yourself. In front of a mirror. Don't let anyone see you though. Afterwards, find some kids and, bam, its story time.