Early childhood is a crucial time for speech and language development, and gestures like pointing, waving, and giving objects are some of the first signs of a child’s growing communication skills. These non-verbal cues help children express their needs, thoughts, and desires before they develop spoken language. So, what should you do if your child isn’t using these gestures by the expected milestones?
Understanding Gestures in Early Communication
- Gestures such as pointing, waving, and handing objects are critical to early communication. Here’s why they’re important:
- Pointing: This helps children show interest in objects, request things, or direct attention.
- Waving: Waving is an early social gesture, showing awareness of social routines like saying hello or goodbye.
- Giving Objects: When a child hands you an object, it’s a form of sharing or requesting, showing they understand interaction and the exchange of items.
Typically, these gestures emerge by 12 months of age. However, some children may develop at a different pace. While every child grows at their own rate, it’s important to know when and how to intervene if these key gestures aren’t present.
What to Do if Your Child Isn’t Using Gestures
If your child isn’t pointing, waving, or giving you objects when asked, there are several things you can do to support their development.
1. Model Gestures in Everyday Situations
One of the best ways to encourage your child to use gestures is by modeling them frequently during daily routines. For example:
- Point to objects as you name them: “Look, there’s your cup!”
- Wave goodbye to family members or friends: “Wave bye-bye to Grandma!”
- Hand objects to your child while asking, “Can you give me the ball?”
- Repetition is key. The more they see you using gestures, the more likely they will begin to mimic these actions.
2. Engage in Interactive Play
Interactive games can be a fun way to encourage gestures. Games such as:
- Peek-a-boo: Encourages waving and facial expressions.
- Pat-a-cake: Involves clapping and hand motions that promote physical engagement.
- Passing objects: Play simple games like rolling a ball back and forth, or handing toys back and forth to model giving and receiving.
3. Use Visual and Verbal Cues Together
Pairing words with gestures is an effective way to reinforce communication. For example:
- When asking your child to point to something, say the word clearly while demonstrating: “Can you point to the cat?”
- Use sign language for common phrases like “more” or “help.” Sign language supports both non-verbal and verbal language development.
4. Limit Screen Time
Excessive screen time can sometimes delay communication skills, including gesture use. Children learn best from face-to-face interactions, so be mindful of limiting passive screen time and instead focus on engaging, interactive activities.
5. Create Opportunities for Gesturing
Set up situations where your child needs to use gestures to communicate. For example:
- Place their favorite toy just out of reach so they need to point or gesture for help.
- Ask them to show you or give you an object to initiate a response.
If they don’t respond at first, gently model the gesture while repeating the request, “Can you give me the ball? Here’s the ball.”
When to Seek Professional Help
While some children may develop gestures slightly later, there are certain red flags to watch for. If your child isn’t using gestures by the age of 12-15 months, it’s a good idea to seek guidance from a pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Additional concerns might include:
- Lack of response to their name by 12 months.
- Not engaging in back-and-forth play (e.g., peek-a-boo).
- No use of eye contact during interactions.
Early intervention can make a significant difference in helping children develop communication skills. A speech-language pathologist can assess your child’s communication development and provide strategies to help them strengthen both non-verbal and verbal skills.
How Speech Therapy Can Help
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) will work with you and your child to address any communication challenges. Therapy might include:
- Parent coaching: Teaching parents how to support communication at home.
- Gestural play: Engaging your child in games and activities designed to encourage pointing, waving, and giving objects.
- Routine-based intervention: Embedding communication strategies into everyday routines like mealtime, playtime, and getting dressed.
Therapists may also assess if your child has any underlying conditions, such as developmental delays or autism, that could be affecting their ability to gesture or communicate.
Conclusion
If your child isn’t pointing, waving, or giving objects by 12-15 months, it’s important to be proactive. By modeling gestures, creating opportunities for interaction, and seeking professional guidance if needed, you can support your child’s speech and language development.
Early intervention is key, and with the right strategies, you can help your child build the communication skills they need for a strong language foundation.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or gesture development, feel free to contact us at Therapeutic Endeavors. We’re here to provide guidance, support, and early intervention strategies to
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