Even infants can appreciate the rhythmic sounds of the written language. Older children can benefit as well, by refining listening skills, stretching imaginations and increasing vocabulary skills. If possible, set aside a special 15 or 20 minutes per day, when there will be few distractions. After dinner and before bed time are some obvious choices, but do what works best for you. Select books that are appropriate for the child's age and interests.
Babies enjoy books with big, bright pictures and familiar objects.
They also enjoy handling board books. Don't be discouraged when they want to hear the same story over and over again. Use television as a stimulus for reading about people, places and topics of special interest. Obviously this is just a beginning. The New Read-Aloud Handbook , by Jim Trelease Get ready to read.