Choose an age-appropriate book. Make sure there is not too much text on each page so that the preschoolers can see the illustrations. Books with repetition and rhyme can help preschoolers remember a story more easily. Introduce them to a variety of books over time so they continue to learn new things.
Practice reading with expression on your own before you sit down in front of the class. The more exuberant and emotive you are while reading, the more engaged the preschoolers will be.
Select an appropriate reading area in the room. For a larger group, make sure the area is spacious enough that the children can sit without touching. A smaller area in a quiet spot is sufficient for smaller groups.
Devise rules for reading time and make sure the students understand the rules before you start to read. Rules can help maintain order during reading time. Preschoolers sometimes struggle with waiting to ask questions. If the book is short, tell them they can ask questions at the end of the story. If it is a longer book, allow them to ask every few pages, but let them know they should try to wait until you say it is time for questions.
Show the students the cover of the book, read the title and ask questions to engage them. For instance, ask what they think the book will be about based on the title or cover image. Tell them the author's and illustrator's names, and explain what each person does.
Read the book in an animated manner. Do not read so fast that the preschoolers become lost, but also do not read so slow and monotone that they become bored. Change the tone of your voice to match what is happening in the story, and make sure to show them the pictures on each page for approximately 10 seconds so they can study the images.
Ask the children questions about the story after reading, such as what the story was about, what they liked or disliked or why they thought certain things happened the way they did. This will help improve their speaking skills and begin to teach them to think critically about stories.