Talk to your child
Research shows that children whose parents spoke to them extensively as young children develop more advanced language skills and richer vocabularies than kids who didn't receive much verbal stimulation.
If your child's too young to carry on a conversation, just describe what you're doing: "Mommy is putting warm water in the tub so you can get cleaned up." Steer clear of baby talk. Although it can help young babies learn language, speaking correctly teaches your growing child good language skills.
Read to your child
Next to talking, reading out loud is one of the most important things you can do to help your child build her vocabulary, stimulate her imagination, and improve her language skills. It also gives you an opportunity to cuddle and socialize.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading aloud daily to your child. Schedule daily reading time to make it a part of your baby's routine.
And look for other ways to expose your child to the joys of reading. Most libraries have regular story times for young children.
Wondering where to start? Take our reading quiz to see how much you know.
Stimulate all his senses
For your child to learn about people, places, and things, he needs to be exposed to them. Every new interaction gives him information about the world and his place in it. Studies show that children who grow up in an enriched environment – one with lots of new experiences that engage their senses – have larger, more active brains than those who grow up without adequate sensory stimulation.
You don't need to bombard your child with stimulation 24 hours a day, nor should you try to engage all his senses at once. Children can become overstimulated. Just let your child play with lots of different toys and objects.
Choose playthings in a variety of shapes, textures, colors, sounds, and weights. Play music and interactive games (such as peekaboo and patty-cake), go on walks and shopping trips together, and let your child meet new people. Even the simplest daily activities stimulate a toddler's brain development.
Also, give your child room to roam. Toddlers need space to crawl, walk, and run to develop strong muscles, good balance, and coordination. They also benefit from safe spaces where they can explore their surroundings without hearing someone say, "No!" or "Don't touch!"
The easiest way to do this is to Childproof your home (or at least the common areas). Keep dangerous objects out of your child's reach and safe ones accessible.
For instance, in the kitchen, put childproof locks on all the cabinets but one. Fill that with plastic bowls, measuring cups, wooden spoons, and pots and pans that your toddler can play with safely.