Beginning in infancy, it's critical for parents to respond to a child's attempt to communicate, whether through sounds or gestures. That can be as simple as describing what you are doing, or naming an object a toddler wants. Let the child be the leader. Learn to tolerate a short silence instead of speaking up whenever there's a gap in conversation. Give them the time they need.
Mealtime conversation can get kids thinking about other places and times.
Sometimes the child asks a question, and the parent answers. Link stories and experiences to other things that interest the child. Young children like to hear the same story over and over. Provide an explanation the first time. Next time, talk about what the child thinks of the story.