01/12/2026
Did you know that gestures are predictors of healthy communicative development?💡
Before your child says their first words, they’re already communicating—through gestures. And these early nonverbal skills are incredibly telling.
Why gestures matter:
Gestures are symbolic. When a child points to a toy, waves goodbye, or shakes their head “no,” they’re showing they understand symbols—the foundation of all communication.
Research worldwide confirms: gesture use reliably predicts how verbal communication will unfold.
Delays in gestural communication often signal delays in cognitive development and play, too.
What to watch for as you wait for first words:
☑️ Eye contact - used to to communicate/ signal needs and intention to connect with others
☑️ Gestural communication - pointing (huge!), shaking head yes/no, waving, clapping, high-fiving, blowing kisses, reaching, giving items
☑️ Joint attention - shifting eye gaze between you and an object to share focus together
Red flags:
If your child does not use eye contact to communicate, struggles with back-and-forth nonverbal signaling via eyes gaze/ facial expressions, or isn’t understanding/using gestures, it may be worth exploring with a professional ☝️A complete evaluation will include an in depth assessment of both proverbial skills and verbal communication (if developed).
