Helping Your Toddler Use Gestures to Communicate
Long before your child says their first words, they are already communicating with you in many different ways. One of the most important tools toddlers use to express their wants, needs, and interests is gestures.
Gestures are the nonverbal or physical movements we use to communicate every day. Waving hello to a neighbor, pointing to a favorite toy on a shelf, or nodding during a conversation are all examples of gestures in action. These movements provide important context and additional details that support communication.
How Gestures Play a Role in Language Development
While gestures may seem simple, they play a critical role in your child's language development. Gestures help children:
Develop larger expressive vocabularies as they grow
Learn words for objects more quickly
Support the development of verbal communication
Provide valuable context that helps children understand language
By 16 months of age, your child should be using approximately 16 different gestures to communicate.
How Gestures Build Vocabulary Through Joint Attention
One reason gestures are so important is that they help establish what speech-language pathologists call joint attention. Joint attention occurs when you and your child are focused on the same object or activity at the same time.
For example, imagine someone says the word "bunny" while looking at a rabbit in the grass. If your child isn't looking at the rabbit, they may not understand what the word refers to. However, if you first point to the bunny and direct your child's attention toward it, they can connect the spoken word with the object they see. This shared focus helps your child learn new vocabulary and understand what words mean.
How to Encourage Gesture Use at Home
Before introducing new words or gestures, consider your physical setup. Try to position yourself directly across from your child so they can clearly see your face, your gestures, and the objects you're trying to show them. Being face-to-face makes it easier for your child to observe and imitate your movements.
Once your child is engaged, try these simple ways to encourage gesture use throughout the day.
Use Gestures Your Child Can Model
Children learn by watching the people around them.
Research shows that children whose parents use more gestures also tend to use more gestures themselves. One of the easiest ways to encourage gesture use is to model it during everyday activities.
For example, before lifting your child out of their crib, raise your arms while saying, "Up." At breakfast, point to each drink choice while asking, "Milk or juice?"
The more opportunities your child has to see gestures paired with communication, the more likely they are to use those gestures themselves.
Pair Gestures with Words
Around 18 months of age, children typically begin combining gestures with single words before they start combining multiple words together.
When your child uses a gesture along with a word, it creates a perfect opportunity to expand their language.
For example, if your child points to a bus and says, "Yellow," you can respond by saying, "Yes, the bus is yellow."
This type of language expansion acknowledges your child's communication attempt while modeling a longer, more complete phrase.
Respond to Your Child’s Gestures Immediately
Whenever your child uses a gesture to communicate, respond as quickly as possible.
Acknowledge their effort and try to interpret what they are attempting to tell you. This helps your child learn that communication is powerful and meaningful.
For example, if your child points to a ball on a shelf, you might respond by saying, "Ball! You want the ball? Ball, please. Here you go."
By responding consistently, you're reinforcing your child's attempts to communicate and encouraging them to keep trying.
Contact Metro Therapy Today
Gestures are much more than simple hand movements. They are an important stepping stone in your child's language development and help build the foundation for future communication skills.
If you have questions about your child's communication development, speech milestones, or gesture use, talk with your speech therapist or contact Metro Therapy today at 763-450-9400. You can also connect with the clinic online to learn more about pediatric speech therapy services.
