Take a walk with your child daily. Along the way, point out bugs, flowers and other discoveries. Let him point, touch and talk about his interesting findings, and take him seriously when he does. Elaborate on the topics he suggests or the questions he asks. Communicate on his level, but always give him the correct information concerning his points of interest. Locate a book or two to bring home, and continue the topic of his interest by sharing pictures and pertinent information, to build his appreciation and understanding for knowledge and learning.
You can use your child's stuffed animals to get better acquainted with animal types and sounds. Teach your child the names of the animals, such as a bear, a lion, a turtle, a cat and a dog. Make the noises of each animal as you play with it. If there are more than one of a kind, group them as such, and help your child to distinguish between the animal types, sounds and to learn the grouping concept.
As you draw a picture with the toddler, name the color you are using. Later you can pick the color out, and ask the child what the color is, until he becomes familiar with it. You may also teach your child how to use colors effectively, by teaching him to use the green for trees and coloring the sky and water blue. Color with him frequently -- not just in coloring books, but with blank sheets of paper or colored construction paper, and let him begin to concentrate on drawing real objects and learning their names.
From the time a child is able to sit up, blocks can be used constructively. Learning to build, enjoying tearing structures down, grouping the blocks into shapes and colors or making a long, straight line with them can be an effective way of interacting his motor and cognitive skills. Have some pictures of structures available, such as a house, a tower or a train, and build these with your child to increase his detail skills.