Experts agree that reading to toddlers is one of the best ways to help them develop speech skills. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, not only does reading help toddlers improve their speech skills, but it also prepares them for reading in the future. Read to your toddler for at least 10 minutes a day, or more if she enjoys reading. At this early stage, toddlers might enjoy discussing and naming pictures, so point out any new items and develop their vocabulary. The National Education Association recommends reading books that have rhyme and rhythm, such as Dr. Seuss books, to make the language more accessible to toddlers and encourage repetition.
Music and language are closely related, and development in one area is likely to benefit the other as well. For example, as noted in "Music in Childhood," by Patricia Shehan Campbell and Carol Scott-Kassner, spoken words and phrases such as nursery rhymes help children develop music skills by increasing their sense of rhythm. Likewise, music helps to develop speech skills by giving toddlers a sense of the rhythm of spoken language and developing vocabulary skills. Singing games such as pat-a-cake and interactive songs with finger play such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" are effective, fun ways to develop your toddler's sense of language as well as her musical ear.
Asking your toddler questions is an effective way to encourage language skills, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Play question games with your toddler to increase her vocabulary and improve speech skills. Pretend that you are an animal and ask her to guess which one you are, or give her a set of clues to help her guess. For older toddlers, you can take turns acting out the animal. For younger toddlers who might not be able to follow the game, use a picture book and ask them to identify animals and other objects.
Some parents worry that their toddler's speech skills are not where they should be. Observe your toddler for signs of speech problems if you are concerned about her development. For toddlers who are 2 and 3, signs of speech problems include inability to follow directions, inability to produce sounds and words spontaneously, repetition of certain sounds and words, and overall inability to to communicate. According to Kids Health, you should understand about half of a 2-year-old's speech and about three-quarters of a 3-year-old's.