Keep your instructions simple and specific.  Avoid giving general commands, i.e. “clean up your room”.  Provide specific actions you would like your child to complete, i.e.  “put your blocks in the basket.” 

Try using positive statements, such as “keep your shoes on” vs. “don’t take your shoes off”. 

After asking your child to do something, wait a short period and then help them complete the action.  Try not to provide the child with too much time between the giving a command and when they complete the command.  The time you provide them may actually be a reward for them.

Avoid negotiating with your child about what you are asking them to do.  For example, you may ask your child, “don’t you want to go inside to eat?” in the attempt to motivate your child to follow your direction.  Then your child says “no.” and you are left with, “well, we are going inside to eat anyway”  

Example:  Grace is running in the shopping mall.  You would like her not to run.  State, “Walk.”  When she complies state “thank you.”  When she doesn’t walk, get her and hold her hand while helping her to walk.  Then state, “we walk in the store.”

One Final Note about talking to your toddler:  There is a difference between giving a command and making a request/asking questions.  When giving commands, give the command and then help them do it.  When making a request or asking a question, the child may decide yes or no.