While the American Academy of Pediatrics states that some educational and age-appropriate television can benefit children in moderation, the organization also states that children younger than 2 should not watch TV. "Too much television can negatively affect early brain development," reports the AAP in "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child."
Start talking regularly to your child as an infant and respond to his coos as if he were saying actual words. As your child gets older, continue the practice of having conversations and responding to your child's words. "Even if he doesn't always appear to be paying attention, it will really help him learn language," states Dr. Harvey Karp in "The Happiest Toddler on the Block."
Use sign language if your infant or young toddler is not yet able to vocalize words. Sign language is in fact a language skill. Several studies have associated the teaching of sign language to infants and toddlers with better overall language and speech development, reports Dr. Nestor L. Lopez-Duran.