The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading is reading aloud to children. The average minutes per day reading books was the best predictor of reading comprehension, vocabulary size, and gains in reading achievement between the second and the fifth grades.
Independent reading is a major source of vocabulary growth and reading fluency.
The best ways to promote reading achievement are by creating a print-rich environment, providing large library collections, reading aloud, using sustained silent reading, encouraging readers, promoting positive reading habits, and modeling reading by parents, teachers, and friends. Libraries Unlimited, 1993.