Gestures are a simple and motivating way to kickstart your child’s communication development. Before we can expect our little ones to imitate words or even sounds, we should look to see if our child is imitating a variety of motions or gestures. The ability to imitate gestures is typically developed after imitating actions with toys and before imitating play sounds. You can start modeling and working on gestures as early as 9 months old. 

Gestures can:

• Encourage and support imitation skills
• Show the cause-and-effect relationship of communication 
• Build social connections and increase joint attention
• Support vocalization attempts 

Examples of gestures that you can model for your infant or toddler during daily activities: 

• Waving as you pass people at the store or out on a walk
• Blowing kisses when saying goodbye to family or friends
• Knocking on doors, fridge, window, etc. before you open 
• Clap or high five to celebrate small victories
• Pointing while looking at pictures in a book or objects that are far away
• Shrugging when asking simple “where” questions like “where’s the ball?” 

Gesture Milestones:

• 9-10 months: Giving objects to others, shaking head for “no”, and reaching to take object or to be picked up
• 11-12 months: Showing an object to gain someone’s attention, waving, and open handed tapping (pre-point)
• 13-14 months: Clapping, blowing kisses, pointing with index finger, and “shh” gesture
• 15-16 months: Head nod for “yes”, high five, and “I dunno”/shrugging gesture

Ebert, C. (n.d.) Coaching the caregiver in early intervention. Retrieved from cariebertseminars.com

16 gestures by 16 months. (2014). First Words Project. Retrieved from interveningearly.org/downloads/16×16-handout.pdf