When Should My Baby Start Using Gestures?

Introduction

Long before children speak their first words, they communicate in powerful ways, through gestures. Pointing, waving, reaching, and clapping are more than cute baby behaviors. These early nonverbal skills play a crucial role in speech and language development. In fact, gestures often predict a child’s later vocabulary size and ability to engage in back-and-forth conversations.

In this article, we’ll explore the types of gestures that emerge during infancy and toddlerhood, what they tell us about a child’s development, when to expect them, and what to do if they seem delayed.

1. What Are Early Gestures and Why Are They Important?

Gestures are physical actions used to communicate without words. They include movements like pointing to request something, shaking your head to say no, or waving hello.

Early gestures are essential for several reasons:

• They support early communication when a child doesn't yet have words
  
• They build shared attention, a key skill for learning
  
• They reflect brain development and social-emotional growth
  
• They often lead to word learning, as children label the things they gesture toward
  
  

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), children who use more gestures at 12 months often have larger vocabularies by 24 months.

2. What Gestures Should I Expect and When?

By 6 Months

• Reaches toward objects or people
  
• Raises arms to be picked up
  
• May begin imitating some hand movements (e.g., waving)
  
  

By 9 Months

• Waves “hi” or “bye”
  
• Shakes head “no”
  
• Looks in the direction of pointed objects
  
  

By 12 Months

• Points with an index finger to request or show
  
• Claps hands
  
• Extends arm to give or show an object
  
• Uses gestures consistently and intentionally
  
  

By 15–18 Months

• Combines gestures and vocalizations
  
• Uses gestures during pretend play
  
• May point to body parts or familiar people when asked
  
  

By 24 Months

• Begins to rely more on words than gestures
  
• Still uses gestures for emphasis (e.g., shrugging, nodding)
  
• Uses gestures alongside short phrases or sentences
  
  

Every child develops at their own pace, but these milestones provide a helpful timeline for what’s typical.

3. What Do Delayed Gestures Mean?

A delay in gesture use can signal a potential delay in communication or social development. Watch for these signs:

• Not pointing by 12 months
  
• Limited variety of gestures (e.g., only reaching or waving)
  
• Not using gestures to draw attention or share interests
  
• Lack of response to others’ gestures or pointing
  
• Not combining gestures with sounds or words by 18 months
  
  

If you notice these signs, it’s a good idea to reach out to your pediatrician or early intervention provider for an evaluation.

4. How Can I Support My Child’s Use of Gestures?

You can encourage gestures through simple daily routines and play:

• Model gestures like waving, clapping, and pointing
  
• Use gestures alongside your words (“All done!” with open hands)
  
• Play gesture-rich games like peekaboo or pat-a-cake
  
• Respond to your child’s gestures as if they’re speaking
  
• Label what they’re pointing at to build vocabulary
  
  

The more your child sees gestures used meaningfully, the more likely they are to imitate and understand them.

5. When Should I Be Concerned?

While all children develop on their own timeline, talk to your pediatrician or contact your local early intervention program if:

• Your baby doesn’t reach or point by 12 months
  
• Your toddler isn’t using a mix of gestures and words by 18 months
  
• There are other signs of delay (e.g., poor eye contact, lack of response to name)
  
  

Early support can make a big difference, and services are often free or low-cost through state-funded programs.

6. Conclusion

Gestures are one of the first ways babies communicate their thoughts, needs, and interests. They provide a window into a child’s development and lay the foundation for speech and language.

By understanding what to expect and how to support your child’s early communication, you can help them build strong language skills—starting with a simple wave, a clap, or a little pointing finger.