Story Time

• Encourage your child to be part of the reading process by pointing and imitating sounds.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Reading to your very young child is one of the best ways to foster healthy speech habits and potentially accelerate his development. Children who are read to often tend to become early readers themselves. Shared reading time is also an easy way to bond with your baby. Pick books that are brightly colored with words your baby will recognize as a part of his own world. Encourage interaction, such as pointing and imitating sounds, and ask plenty of questions even if the child is too young to respond.
  
  

Baby Signs

• Baby Signs, based upon American Sign Language, can help babies communicate before they are physically and developmentally able to pronounce many words. Your child learns to use simple hand motions to signify common needs and wants, such as "milk," "more," "all done" and "play." Many of these hand signs can be easily found online, and classes and seminars on baby signs are also available. While it might seem that teaching your baby sign language would delay language development, it can improve your child's confidence and cognition, helping word formation happen at a healthy pace.
  
  

Daily Conversation

• Talk often to your baby, who constantly is soaking up examples of how to speak.Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Speak to your baby as often as possible. Though you will not receive a response and might feel as if you are having a conversation with yourself, your baby is continuously taking in language examples. Speak slowly and clearly to your little one, pausing to allow him time to "respond" through smiles or signs. This will encourage his confidence to initiate a conversation when he is able to do so, and to verbally express his thoughts and feelings.
  
  

Questions and Exploration

• Provide your baby with opportunities to explore her world. Hide recognizable objects in a paper bag or in a box, such as a favorite stuffed animal, toy or sippy cup. As your child finds them and removes them, ask questions, such as, "What did you find?" or "Was that hiding?" Ask questions wherever possible -- on car rides, at home, on playdates. Asking questions encourages your baby to pay attention to details and interact with her world, eventually in an oral way.