Talk with your child as much as possible. For example, talk to him while you're in the car, running errands or preparing dinner. Narrate what you're doing, point out objects, name them and ask questions. Your child should be able to form short sentences two-words to four-words long.
Ask open-ended questions, such as "What should we do at the park?" or "What do you like about the zoo?" to encourage children to practice language and develop opinions.
Encourage and participate in imaginative play. Provide props for your child, such as dress-up clothes and takeout menus, and ask her questions about her pretend games. For example, if she is pretending to be a waitress, ask her what the specials are for that night. Two-year-olds should be capable of imaginative play.
Read stories to your child and encourage him or her to participate by asking questions about the pictures, asking what she thinks happens next and connecting the story to her life experiences.
Provide books for children to play with. Children 24 months old to 36 months old should be able to hold books in the right direction, flip through pages and look at pictures. They may also pretend to read books or memorize their favorite books.
Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your child's language development. Delayed language development may indicate a variety of issues, such as hearing impairment or learning disabilities.