Pointing is Important for Baby's Language Development!

As a parent, your actions and interactions with your child build on each other in supporting your child's development. One fascinating aspect that researchers have uncovered is the significance of declarative gestures in shaping a child's language skills. Let's explore the impact of declarative gestures, what sets them apart from imperative gestures, and how you can incorporate them into your communication with your little one.

Understanding Declarative Gestures

Declarative gestures are those intentional movements made with the purpose of sharing attention or highlighting something interesting. Think of it as pointing to a colorful illustration in a book and exclaiming, "The princess is scared!" or directing your child's gaze to a passing helicopter while saying, "Wow, look! A helicopter!" The essence of declarative gestures lies in fostering joint attention—when both you and your child focus on the same point of interest, creating moments of connection and mutual fascination.

Declarative vs. Imperative Gestures

It's essential to distinguish between declarative and imperative gestures. Declarative pointing aims to establish joint attention, while imperative gestures are directives that guide the child's actions. For instance, holding out your hand while saying, "Give me the block" is an imperative gesture, as opposed to declarative gestures that invite shared fascination with the surrounding world ("Look!" with a point).

Parents’ use of declarative gestures with their 12-month-olds can be predictive of vocabulary skills at 36 months old! That's right parents use of pointing to share joint attention! (Choi, 2021) 

Enhancing Communication with Declarative Gestures

Now that we understand the significance of declarative gestures, let's explore how you can incorporate them into your daily communication with your baby or toddler. Here are some examples to inspire you:

1. "Oh, Mama is here!" (While pointing to Mama as she enters the room)

   • Acknowledge and point out familiar faces to enhance recognition.

2. "I got new shoes!" (While pointing at your shoes)

   • Connect words with actions, reinforcing vocabulary through shared experiences.

3. "Look at the beautiful flowers!" (While pointing at flowers on a bush)

   • Encourage appreciation for the world around by highlighting nature's wonders.

4. "The garbage truck is loud!" (While pointing to a garbage truck driving by)

   • Introduce descriptive words and engage in discussions about the environment.

5. "Uh-oh! It broke!" (While pointing towards a broken block tower)

   • Teach cause and effect by narrating simple events and occurrences.

6. "Look at the airplane!" (While pointing at an airplane in the sky)

   • Foster curiosity about the world beyond by drawing attention to exciting sights.

In the realm of child development, every interaction counts. By incorporating declarative gestures into your communication with your child, you're not just pointing; you're guiding them toward a richer and more expressive vocabulary. Remember, it's not just about what your child points to; your own use of declarative gestures plays a pivotal role in their language development. So, point, share, and revel in the joy of joint attention—your child's language journey is taking flight, one declarative gesture at a time!

Choi, B., Castelbaum, L., McKechnie, R., Rowe, M. L., Nelson, C. A., & Tager-Flusberg, H. (2021). Brief report: Parents’ declarative use of deictic gestures predict vocabulary development in infants at high and low risk for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04989-8