Ideas for increasing gestures

We know that increasing our use of gestures with children leads to better language and vocabulary outcomes. Before children/infants learn to speak, they learn to communicate with body language, facial expressions, and gestures. So, for kids on the spectrum who are non-verbal, children with delayed language skills, or even infants who are emerging into the verbal word stages, gestures ARE the bridge to verbal words. The more gestures we use and model can increase language growth. Let’s talk a little bit more about gestures. There are 3 types: deictic gestures are gestures like pointing to objects. This is a big one for kids on the spectrum. I love to teach kids on the spectrum pointing to what they want because then I know they are exhibiting joint attention and communicative intent . Iconic gestures explain something, for example putting our pointer finger to our lips and saying “shhh” for “be quiet” is a great one. I tend to see my language delayed kids imitate this gesture, but not use the “shhh” sound. That is OK. The imitation of the gesture is what I am looking for, eventually they will begin pairing sounds and words wit the gesture. Beat gestures are the use of putting emphasis on a word. Perhaps we want to say “that was a big spider”, to emphasize BIG we throw our hands up to put emphasis on the word BIG. This type of gesture is shown to help children understand vocabulary words and tell narratives more proficiently. Wondering what kinds of gestures you can model for your child or during therapy? Not to worry, I’ve attached a list of idea’s below:

Ideas for Increasing and Modeling Gestures: 

Shaking head no / yes

Waving hand for “come here” 

Hand on chest for “mine”

Pointing at person for “yours”

Hold palm up for “stop” 

Waving hello / goodbye

Rubbing hands together for “cleaning” 

Close eyes and rest head on closed hands for “sleeping” 

Yawn for “tired” 

Cover eyes for “scared” 

Shrugging shoulders and holding hands up for “where is it” or other wh- question

Wave hands “all done” 

Hold up finger for “wait” 

Hold finger up to lips for “shh”

Rock arms for “baby”

Thumbs up 

Hands on hips 

Spread arms wide for “open” 

Open arms wide for “hug”

Panting for “tired”

Bringing palm close to mouth and away quickly for “hot” 

Rubbing shoulders for “I’m cold”

Over exaggerated laugh / giggle for “that’s funny”

Stomp foot for “mad” 

Jump up and down for “excited” 

Huffed/puffed for 3 little pigs story

Pressed hands on cheek for “surprised”