One of the most important developmental stages in a child's life is when they start using gestures to communicate. Did you know that according to research by the time a child reaches 16 months old, they should be using at least 16 different gestures? These gestures support their communication and are a significant indication of a child's social and emotional development. As a parent, you can help your baby or toddler reach these milestones through modeling and reinforcement!
Alt text- child sits on floor with wooden tea set while smiling and clapping hands.
Here are some essential gestures that your toddler should use by 16 months old:
1. Giving - Your child should be giving something to someone else, such as a toy or a snack. This is typically developed around age 9 months.
2. Shakes Head "no"- Your child will shake their head "no" in response to something they do not like. This often develops around meal time following turning their head away from food they dislike. This is typically developed around age 9 months.
3. Reaching - Your toddler will reach for something they want or to show their interest. This typically develops around age 10 months.
4. Raising arms for "up"- Your toddler should be reaching their arms up to indicate they would like to be held. This typically develops around age 10 months.
5. Showing - Your toddler will show you something by holding it out to you. This typically develops at around 11 months.
6. Waving - Your toddler will wave goodbye or hello to familiar people at around 11 months.
7. Pointing - Your child will point to objects to express their interest or to request something. This begins with an open hand at 12 months, but turns into a finger point around 14 months.
8. Touching/Tapping - Your child will touch something to indicate their interest. This typically develops around 12 months of age.
9. Clapping - Your child begins clapping to show excitement or to express approval. This may happen at the end of a favorite song. You are likely to see this behavior by 13 months of age.
10. Blowing kisses - Your toddler should be able to blow kisses as a way of saying goodbye or showing affection. This also typically happens at 13 months.
11. "shhh" Gesture- We often see this in the context of the familiar nursery song Wheels on the Bus but you may also see it within pretend play when putting dolls or toy animals to sleep. This gesture typically comes by age 14 months.
12. Head nod for "yes"- This takes a bit longer to develop than shaking head for "no" and usually comes around 15 months.
13. Thumbs up- You toddler may use a thumbs up aroudn 15 months to show approval or in place of "yes"
14. Hand up for "wait" or "stop"- Your toddler is likely to use this gesture around 15 months.
Your toddler might also use a variety of the following gestures:
15. Open hand - Your toddler mighthold their hand out to request something or to indicate that they want something.
16. Patting - Your toddler may pat or touch something gently to show affection.
17. Rubbing eyes - Your toddler might rub their eyes to indicate tiredness or to communicate that they want to go to bed.
15. Shaking finger - Your child might shake their finger to indicate disapproval or to communicate that they don't want something.
16. Covering eyes - Your toddler might cover their eyes to initiate or respond to a game of peek-a-boo.
17. Hand wave to beckon "come here"- Your child might use their hand to beckon you nearer if they want help or want to play.
Alt text: Older child looks toward camera and uses the "shhh" gesture with one finger over mouth
It's important to keep in mind that every child develops at their own pace, and some may reach these milestones later than others. However, if you notice that your child is not using a variety of gestures by the age of 16 months, it recommended to talk to your pediatrician and seek the advice of a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
At Rachel Homza Speech and Language, we offer free consultations for teletherapy and can provide guidance for parents who are concerned about their child's language development. By signing up for our free consultation, you can find out if a full evaluation is needed!
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