It is important to work on receptive skills with your child at home. Instead of always asking yes or no questions, ask your child open-ended questions. Asking a child, "What do you want for lunch?" -- and having him come up with an answer -- helps the child demonstrate that he truly understands the question. If you ask, "Do you want grilled cheese?" and your child simply says yes or no, he or she may just be going along with your idea and not comprehending the decision making process.
Have your child associate pictures with words. Even if your child is too young to read, use picture books as a tool. Sit with your child, point at a picture of an apple in a book, and have her say "apple" repeatedly. The next time you and your child look at the book together, point at the picture of the apple and see if she can identify what the object is without your help.
Some children may have developmental delays that cause them not to improve their receptive skills at the same pace as their peers. Signs that your child may have a receptive disorder include not following common directions, repeating questions instead of giving answers or giving random responses that don't make sense. If you feel that your child has a receptive disorder, seek help immediately so your child does not fall behind when it is time to start reading. Options for help include going to speech therapy or attending counseling sessions. You may also want a doctor to see the child to ensure there is nothing physically wrong with the child; for instance, an ear infection could cause your son or daughter to have a problem hearing.
If you know that your child is physically and mentally healthy -- and that he just shows little interest in sitting down with a book -- try working on your child's receptive skills through games. Hold one of your child's favorite dolls and she can hold another doll and you both can simulate a conversation between the dolls. Sneak in opportunities to work on receptive skills during fun times at the park or a zoo. Point at animals and see if your child can identify them.