Toddlers enjoy repetition. Read the same book every day for a week -- even more if he wants it. Don’t be annoyed if your child brings you the same selection again and again; this is natural, and a part of his learning process. If you direct your toddler to books about letters, numbers, colors and shapes, such as Sandra Boynton’s "One, Two Three!" this repetition will aid him in an early grasp of these concepts.
What you read to your toddler matters less than how much you read. Discover the kinds of books she likes by trying many different themes, subjects and styles of illustrations. Use your public library as a resource. Award-winning books are always a good choice, but don’t pass up the ones that aren’t. Try old favorites from your childhood such as Dr. Seuss and Beatrix Potter, and discover new favorites such as Bill Martin Jr.’s “Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom,” and “First 100 Words,” by Roger Priddy.
The best part of reading aloud to your child is the relationship it forges between the two of you as you put aside other thoughts and concerns and focus on the pages in front of you. Don’t get frustrated if your toddler has a hard time sitting still during a reading session; at his age, it’s really hard for him. Let him move around while you continue to read. Make reading time enjoyable instead of painful; your child will connect books with love and caring, encouraging his interest in them.
Encourage your toddler to interact with the books you read. Board books are great because they can be handled, as are ones with touchable bits of fabric on the page. Read books with repeating rhymes or phrases and chant them together. Make deliberate mistakes so that your toddler can catch you and correct you. Act out the stories or make appropriate noises (animal calls, train whistles, et cetera). Talk about the pictures and ask questions; encourage your child to ask you questions, too.