Communication

• Learning communication skills is a critical part of a child’s development. While many of us may take it for granted, communication takes on many forms beyond just words. A tone of voice can express a feeling just as often as a word. A parent that uses a gesture, like the nod of a head, can communicate as much as saying no.
  
  

Time Frame

• Parents should begin communicating with their child as soon as she is born. Talking or singing to an infant is beneficial to the infant's brain development. At around 10 months of age, parents can begin to integrate gestures into the communication. However, most children will not have basic understanding and verbal skills until the age of three.
  
  

Benefits of Using Gestures

• Symbolic gestures can improve communication between a parent and child before a child is fully able to communicate through the use of words. Symbolic gestures can encourage a child to continue attempts at communication, and may push a child toward wanting to further develop his communication skills. Parents and children can use gestures in place of, or in addition, to words or phrases. If a parent asks a child whether he would like something to drink, that parent could also make a drinking gesture with her hands to signal the meaning of the word drink.
  
  

Examples of Gestures

• A variety of gestures exist that parents can use to communicate with children. Pointing at an object, or shaking your head to signify yes are simple gestures that any child will quickly understand. A gesture does not need to be one universally understood by everyone, but can be a gesture your family creates to mean a certain item or action.