The Power of Gestures: Building Language One Wave at a Time
Hi Little Moose family!! I recently posted a poll in my Instagram stories asking if you have ever heard of “16 Gestures by 16 Months”. Only 14% of respondents said yes! So, I thought it was high time to talk about it! Keep reading to learn all about the research behind 16 Gestures by 16 Months and how gestures can pave the way for those first meaningful words.
Why Gestures Matter
Did you know that using gestures can significantly impact your baby’s language development? Research from Florida State University highlights a fascinating finding: babies who use 16 gestures by 16 months show increased language skills two years later. This means that the more gestures your baby uses during their first year, the better prepared they’ll be to express themselves with words in the future!
“Research with young children indicates that the development of gestures from 9 to 16 months predicts language ability 2 years later, which is significant because preschool language skills predict academic success. So it’s important to remember that by 16 months, children should have at least 16 gestures.”
-First Words Project
A topic that comes up time and time again with parents is the concept of “late talkers”. Quite often, Speech Therapists are met with a conversation of, “well my 18 month old is not talking much, but do you think they really need Speech Therapy or will they catch up on their own?” While we can’t predict the future, research does show there are signs that indicate whether or not a child will “outgrow” their delay in talking.
One study found that simply counting the number of words a toddler knows or assessing their sentence structure isn’t always a reliable way to foresee future challenges. Instead, using gestures—like pretending to drink to signal “I want water”—can indicate a child’s understanding of language and predict their future language abilities.
Additionally, another study revealed that a child's use of gestures at 14 months is a strong predictor of their vocabulary by 42 months. This suggests that paying attention to gestures can be a helpful tool in tracking language development well past their first words.
What Are Some Common Baby Gestures?
So, what gestures are we talking about exactly? Which gestures can you expect to see in your baby? Here are some examples and a general timeline of when these gestures typically emerge:
9 months:
Give (reaching hand out to give something to parent/other)
Shake head “no” (to protest)
10 months:
Reach (to take an object)
Raise arms (to be picked up)
11 months:
Show (share interest in an object)
Wave (Greet others)
12 months:
Open hand point (pointing begins with a whole hand gesture in the direction of interest)
Tap (using fingers to direct attention to an item perhaps in a book)
13 months:
Clap (in song or to show excitement)
Blow a kiss (to give affection or say bye)
14 months:
Index finger point (as children’s fine motor develops, the point evolves to a single index finger point)
Shh gesture (also following with fine motor development, the index finger to mouth to signal quiet)
15 months:
Head nod (to signal yes)
Thumbs up (also to signal approval)
16 months:
Shrug (I don't know”)
High 5 (greeting)
Other Common Gestures:
Baby signs such as:
“More”
“Thank you”
“Please”
“Milk”
Hand up to sign “wait”
Peek-a-boo
Wave hand by nose to signal “stinky”
Peace sign
Motions for songs
Any motions for Wheels on the Bus
For an easy printable handout with examples of these gestures, click the photo below:
Keep in mind that while these gestures listed above are the most common, the order that these gestures develop can vary and the exact gesture baby uses can also vary. For example, my baby’s first gesture was the “beep, beep, beep” motion from Wheels on the Bus, not shaking his head “no”. My oldest son also never learned to clap until about 18 months, but he was using at least 20 other gestures before then.
However, what IS important to note is that we want to see babies develop about two gestures each month between 9 and 16 months. This consistent progression of skills is an indicator that baby is continuing to grow and build their foundation for spoken language.
Another question I often get is that some gestures look similar. For example, what if baby does the same motion for give and reach? That’s okay! If the motions each signal different meanings, it counts as TWO gestures!
Why Gestures Promote Spoken Language
Enhancing Communication: Gestures provide an additional channel for infants to express their needs and thoughts before they have the vocabulary to do so. This helps facilitate communication with caregivers, reinforcing the idea that communication is a shared effort.
Building Vocabulary: Gestures can serve as visual cues for words, helping children make connections between actions and their verbal counterparts. For instance, pointing to a toy while saying its name reinforces the relationship between the gesture and the word.
Encouraging Interaction: When caregivers respond to gestures, it fosters more engaging interactions. This back-and-forth communication is vital for language learning, as it teaches infants about the give-and-take nature of conversation.
Cognitive Development: Using gestures aids in cognitive processing by allowing children to organize their thoughts visually. This cognitive development is linked to later verbal skills.
So… How Can We Teach These Gestures?
Now that we understand the significance of gestures, let’s talk about how you can encourage your baby to use them. When it comes to teaching baby’s first gestures, remember the 4 Ps:
The 4 Ps:
1. Practice
First up, Practice! This is all about modeling and demonstrating the gesture repeatedly. Show your baby how to perform the gesture by using exaggerated movements and enthusiasm. You can also use a hand-over-hand technique, gently guiding their hands to help them understand the action. Remember, repetition is key! The more they see it, the more familiar it will become.
*BONUS tip: It is SO helpful for babies to see these gestures in action. One thing we do at home is model with a third person involved. So, when I am teaching my baby to request “more”, his big brother and dad get involved in the fun. It really helps the concept click for baby when they see someone else using the desired gesture to get what they want. Here’s how that looks:
Baby: * wants another piece of banana *
Me: Do you want “MORE” * I sign for MORE *
Dad: I want MORE! * signs for more, TOO *
Big brother: I want more!!! * signs for more *
Baby: * looks at us like we’re quite silly *
Me: takes baby’s hands and shows him how to sign MORE
Dad: oh, you want MORE! Okay, here’s MORE banana! You want MORE! * signs for more one more time for good measure *
2. Pronounce
Next is Pronounce. As you demonstrate the gesture, say the verbal word that corresponds with it. This connection between the motor skill and spoken word is crucial—it helps your baby build associations that will eventually lead to their first words. So, if you’re teaching the sign for “more,” say “more” while doing the gesture. This dual-action approach reinforces their understanding and makes learning exciting!
3. Pause
Now comes the all-important Pause. After modeling and pronouncing, give your baby a moment to process and respond. Resist the urge to jump in too quickly—waiting allows them the opportunity to attempt the gesture themselves. This is a vital part of the learning process, as it encourages your baby to communicate their needs. A little patience can go a long way in fostering their confidence!
4. Praise
Finally, let’s talk about Praise! When your baby successfully uses the gesture, celebrate it like it’s a major victory—because it is! Give them a huge round of applause, cheer, and shower them with excitement. This positive reinforcement not only boosts their confidence but also encourages them to keep trying. Don’t forget to repeat the sign back to them and provide whatever they requested. You’re building a joyful learning experience!
Here are some fun, interactive ways to promote gesture use during daily activities:
Playtime: Use toys that encourage reaching and pointing. For instance, during a game of peek-a-boo, you can point to your eyes, mouth, and ears, modeling the gestures as you go! A fun classic baby playtime activity is “How big is baby?” then practice raising your arms for “SO BIG!” We love to build block towers then knock them over and say “YAY” while clapping.
Mealtimes: Mealtime is a great opportunity to introduce gestures like “more” or “all done.” Show your baby how to clap or wave as they enjoy their food or indicate when they want more. Maybe it’s a food baby doesn’t like so they shake their head “no”.
Diaper Changes: This routine can be transformed into a mini-lesson! Use gestures to say “all done” and make it a fun part of the process. Stinky diaper? Wave your hand in front of your nose for “ewwww”. You could even use a playful song to signal the end of changing time! If your babies are anything like mine, diaper changes become a wrestling match. We combat this with LOTS of songs and Wheels on the Bus has been the go-to for both of my boys. I particularly love this one for all the gestures it teaches!
Bathtime: Use this splashing good time to teach gestures like waving. Sing songs that incorporate hand movements, allowing your baby to imitate you.
Books and Songs: Engage with interactive books that encourage pointing at pictures. Sing songs with gestures, such as “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” The repetition and visual cues help solidify those gestures.
Creating a Rich Language Environment
As you implement these strategies, remember that consistency is key. Regularly using and modeling gestures in various contexts will help your baby understand their meanings and learn to use them effectively. Don’t expect baby to pick up the skill the first time, the first day or even the first week! Practice makes perfect. You can model the gesture, help baby make the gesture by hand-over-hand demonstrations, and practice imitation. As baby learns the gesture, they might “approximate” the sign. This means “more” might start by looking like just bringing their hands together. Or, when they learn to clap, it may look more like a bit of flapping. Over time and with practice, it will develop into a clear expression with meaning. Your enthusiasm and engagement will not only make this learning process enjoyable but also strengthen your bond with your little one.
In closing, gestures are not just fun—they are foundational for language development. By encouraging your baby to use gestures, you’re setting the stage for their future communication success.
Happy gesturing! 🌟
Sources: Acredolo, L. P., & Goodwyn, S. W. (1988). Symbolic gesturing in language development: A longitudinal study of the effects of parental input. Child Development, 59(2), 291-303.McCathren, R. B., & Koonce, J. (2010). The role of gestures in language development: Implications for clinical practice. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 41(4), 477-488. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2010/08-0197)First Words Project. “16 Gestures at 16 Months.” First Words Project, 2018, https://firstwordsproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/16-Gestures-x16-Months.pdf.Thal, D., Tobias, S., & Morrison, D. (2021). Language and gesture in late talkers: A 1-year follow-up. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 34(3), 604–617. https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3403.604
