The Independent – Kathy Donaghy 
The benefits of reading to children are well documented, from improved vocabulary skills to helping learn about empathy. The latest research presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows that reading books to babies can boost vocabulary four years later, before they start primary school. “These findings are exciting because they suggest that reading to young children, beginning even in early infancy, has a lasting effect on language, literacy and early reading skills,” said Dr Carolyn Cates, the lead author in the study carried out by researchers at New York University. (more)