Rhyming is an important part of phonological awareness as it links together similar sounds in a variety of words. When working with toddlers, sing songs that rhyme, read nursery rhymes and other rhyming books and simply state a variety of words that rhyme. When using the rhyming words, enunciate the parts of the words that rhyme, drawing toddlers' attention to the common sounds in the words.
Make rhythms with your toddler. Clap and tap out different rhythms and encourage your child to copy the sounds that you make. Start with simple hand clapping, such as three claps in a row, and see if your toddler can repeat the claps; help her along if need be. As she starts to get the hang of copying your clapping, move to foot tapping. Do three foot taps and see if your toddler can repeat the taps. As you progress through the activity, mix it up by integrating a combination of claps and taps: clap, tap, clap or clap, clap, tap, tap, for example. This activity promotes an awareness of hearing and recognizing a specific sound, which is a skill that can be transferred to the sounds that words make.
Begin promoting an awareness for letter-sound recognition at this early age. Lay out a variety of items that begin with a specific sound or print out pictures of items that begin with the same sound. For example, for the letter "B," you could use balloons, balls, bats and boxes. Point to the items and clearly state their names. While stating the names of the objects, emphasize the sound that each word begins with. Explain that each of the items begins with the letter "B." Though your child may not respond to you when you tell him that the items begin with a given letter, he is likely absorbing what you are saying.
Have your child name sounds that objects make. While taking a walk, in the store, in the car, while at home or anywhere else, encourage your child to listen carefully and ask her to name the sounds that different items make. For instance, if the clock chimes, a horn honks or a bird chirps, ask her to identify the source of the sound. Being able to identify the source of specific sounds can later be applied to identifying the sounds specific letters make in words.