Before children say their first words, they are already communicating through gestures. Waving, pointing, blowing kisses, or raising arms to be picked up are all powerful ways children can share their wants, needs, and ideas with the people around them.

Gestures are important precursors of language acquisition that help children connect socially, regulate interactions, and share attention with caregivers. We have created a handout for families and caregivers to learn more about gestures, including:

• What are gestures and why are they important?
• Tips for supporting gesture use at home and in daily routines, including:
• A gesture milestone chart, outlining which gestures typically emerge by age

Download via the button below!