Even if children aren't able to use words to express themselves they may be able to understand far more than they can show. One of the things you can do with your pre-verbal child is work on following directions.
At home and at school you can work on following one step directions. Examples follow
· Clap your hands
· Wave
· Wiggle your fingers
· Make a kiss
· Knock on the table…door…window (etc)
· Stomp your feet
· Arms up
· Raise your hand
· Stick out your tongue
· Close your eyes
· Hands together
· Hands on the table
In a similar category you can also work on pointing to clothing and body parts:
Point to, show me, where is your…
· Nose
· Mouth
· tummy
· Ears
· Eyes
· Hair
· Feet
· Hands
· Arms
· Legs
· Shoes
· Socks
· Pants
· Shirt
· Jacket
· Hat
More advanced body parts:
· Elbow
· Wrist
· Eyebrow
· Ankle
· Knee