•    Listen as much as you talk

•    Talk about things your child is already interested in.

•    Make a conversation longer by adding new information or asking a follow-up question.

•    Make a point of introducing your children to other adults or children, telling one another their names.

•    Use meal time to ask about the day’s events.

•    Use drive time.  (Turn off the radio.)

•    Reread familiar stories, and talk about the book.

•    Follow the child’s lead, and encourage a train of thought he or she already has.

•    Comment on what your child is doing.  “Oh, you made a big house!”

•    Ask a variety of questions in conversation.  (Who, What, Where, Why, What do you think?)