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Little Gestures, Big Communication!

QuickStart Quick Tips!

Before children use lots of words, they often communicate with gestures—and those little movements are a big step in language development!

Some important communication gestures include:

  • Pointing to show you something interesting
  • Waving “bye-bye”
  • Reaching to be picked up
  • Shaking their head for “no”
  • Clapping when they’re excited
  • Holding up their hands for “all done”

When your child uses a gesture, respond as if they’re having a conversation with you. For example: Child points to a ball, you can say, “You found the ball! You want to play with the ball!”

By noticing and responding to gestures, you’re helping your child learn that communication is powerful. Pairing gestures with words also helps build vocabulary and supports future language development.

Try this today: Slow down, watch for your child’s gestures, and add simple words to match what they’re communicating. Those everyday moments can make a big difference!