"Both my husband and I give characters special voices," says Yvette De Luca. "I also have the girls act out stories they don't quite understand. It helps with comprehension. My 6 year old also likes to read to my 4 year old. I think the most important thing I do, is let the kids read pretty much whatever they want."

Expand their imagination
Reading is also one of the best ways to expand a child's imagination. When reading together, ask your children to imagine what they assume will happen next in the story. Or, have them picture themselves there, in the story. Maybe your child would have done something different if he or she was in the characters place, what would it be?

After reading and discussing the book, suggest drawing a picture of what happened in the story. Maybe they would have preferred a different ending, so draw that ending. I like to frame my children's artwork or add it to the refrigerator, that way they know how proud I am of what they accomplished.

Deal with reading problems early
It can be embarrassing to children to have a reading problem. Not dealing with the problem immediately can put them behind in their schoolwork. There are many ways we can deal with reading problems.

Reading together is one of those ways; it will help overcome these difficulties. Many times you won't even know there is a reading problem without reading together. It will build up their self-esteem and increase their vocabulary so that they will be able to read to a bigger audience.

For example, try having your children set his or her stuffed animals and dolls in their room as if they are the audience and the child can practice reading to them. Once you feel they are comfortable reading to their stuffed animals, go to the next step and have them read to their siblings, friends, neighbors, etc. This is a wonderful way to build their self-esteem. Also, while reading together, encourage your children to ask questions. When answering them, have them know what a wonderful question that was. They will be sure to ask again.

Use your library. A library card can be the best gift for your child. It can teach responsibility as well as good reading habits. Make it a fun place to visit and show them learning is not a chore, it can be fun. It is a wonderful way to introduce them to encyclopedias, history, computers and many other research items. Enroll them in the library's reading program, make it as challenging to your child as you want.

One wonderful program the library offers is sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). This is the fourth year in a row this program is offered throughout the states. It will be conducted March 2 every year in celebrations of Dr. Seuss' birthday. There is an adult who goes into each elementary classroom of each city and reads to children for a half an hour.

Dorothy Fountain, a reading specialist, of Glendora, California says children benefit quite a bit from this program.

"They see how important reading is and they see adults reading to them. It's nice for the adults as well as children, because it is their chance to read their favorite children's books," Fountain says. "Children need to see reading is important to everyone. They need to see our enthusiasm. Too much television is helping with children's visualizations, let the books help with visualization. Let words make pictures in their minds."

Fountain says it is important for parents to continue to read to their children, even if their children already know how to read.

Lynn Rexroat, mother of four says she still reads to her 12-year-old and 11 year old at night.

"Sometimes that is the only quiet time we have together to bond," she says.

Have family reading times
Remember the saying, "Practice what you preach?" We can't expect our children to actively engage in reading if they never see us read. Be a good role model. Keep up your good reading habits as well. Let your children catch you reading. Always keep good books and magazines around the house so you both can pick and choose what interests you. Through this, you will find what your children are interested in and that will give you topics to discuss. It's a great way to communicate together. Try turning off the television and radio, call it "Family Reading Time." This will become a great reading habit for you and your children.

Let's take advantage of this precious time of reading to them while they are young, for before we know it they will want to read to us. And even when the time comes that they want to read to you, know that you have done something right; you have shown your children the power of books.

Ten tips for raising readers
Here are some tips, as recommended in "Raising Readers: Helping Your Child to Literacy" by Steven Bialostok.