Narrate what you are doing as you cook and serve. Children learn words they hear in context, and the kitchen is full of verbs, textures, and sequences.
Offer choices instead of yes-or-no questions. "Peas or carrots?" invites a word; "Do you want peas?" invites a nod.
Wait. Count to five in your head after you ask something. Many children need more time than adults expect to put a thought into words.
Expand what your child says. If they say "more," you say "more milk, please." You are modeling the next step without correcting.
Tell a story about your day and invite theirs. Storytelling and conversation are the social skills that carry into the classroom.