If you have a book with too much wording, you'll lose them. And get the children involved. Dr. Bruce Epstein, a retired St. Petersburg pediatrician, encourages parents to ask the children questions about the story or the illustrations, and have them turn the pages. It also gets them into the rhythm of reading. Nancy Ratcliff, professor of childhood education at the University of South Florida, said it also helps if children see adults reading newspapers, magazines and books.
Studies show that children who see family members reading become early readers.
Early-reading theorists say that as a baby listens, he learns to imitate the sounds and eventually attaches meaning to those sounds. Mrs. Elfering is convinced that even though Lindsay is just 2 months old, she is comforted by the rhythm of familiar stories. She began reading Dr. Seuss' One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish to her unborn child during her second trimester. Soon after Lindsay was born, when the baby was feeling colicky, Mrs. Elfering would read the story to her. It has a calming effect to her and holds her interest a little longer.