12 gestures your child should know by age 2

Gestures: A Brief History

The earliest evidence of gestures dates back to the Paleolithic era, when cave paintings depict people using gestures to communicate. In the ancient world, gestures were used in a variety of contexts, including religious ceremonies, theater, and everyday life. In the Middle Ages, gestures were adopted by the Catholic Church to communicate with the illiterate masses. In the Renaissance, gestures became increasingly important in art and literature. In the 18th century, gesture study became a scientific discipline. In the 20th century, gestures were used in a variety of new contexts, including film, television, and computer-mediated communication.

As a parent, you know that your child's language development is a critical part of their overall growth and development. By age 2, most children will have a vocabulary of around 50 words and should be able to communicate their basic needs and wants. However, children communicate in another important way, and that is through gestures.

Gestures are non-verbal cues that can express a variety of emotions, thoughts, and desires. They can also be used to supplement speech, making it easier for children to communicate their ideas. For example, a child might point to a toy they want or wave goodbye to a friend.

Gestures are a crucial part of language development because they help children communicate with others. They also help children develop their understanding of the world around them. For example, when a child points to a dog, they're learning that the word "dog" refers to a specific animal.

By age 2, most children should know at least 12 basic gestures. These gestures can help them communicate more effectively and develop their language skills. Here are the 12 gestures your child should know by age 2:

Pointing. Pointing is one of the most significant gestures for children. It allows them to direct the attention of others to something they are interested in.
Waving. Waving is a gesture of greeting and farewell. It is a way for children to show that they are friendly and social.
Giving. Giving is a gesture of sharing and generosity. It is a significant gesture because it enables children to show they care about others.
Taking. Taking is a gesture of wanting and needing. It is a way for children to show that they are interested in something.
More. More is a gesture of wanting something in an increased quantity. Children use this method to express their desire for more food, toys, or attention.
Less. Less is a gesture of wanting something in lesser quantity. This method enables children to express their desire for fewer food, noise, or activity.
All done. All done is a gesture of finishing something. It is a way for children to express their desire to stop an activity or be put down.
Help. Help is a gesture of need. It is a way for children to express their desire for help with a task or get something they cannot reach.
Me. Me is a gesture of self-reference. Children express their identity and claim ownership of something.
You. You is a gesture of comparison with another. Children refer to other people and indicate that something belongs to someone else.
No. No is a gesture of rejection or refusal. Children can express their dislike for something or indicate they do not want to do something.
Yes. Yes is a gesture of affirmation or acceptance. Children can express their approval of something or indicate that they want to do something.

If your child is not using these gestures by age 2, or if they are using them inconsistently, it is imperative to talk to your doctor. There may be an underlying developmental delay that needs to be addressed.

Here are some tips for helping your child learn gestures:

Start by modeling gestures yourself. Point to things, wave goodbye, and give and take objects.
Name the gesture as you do it. For example, say "point" as you point to something.
Use gestures with speech. For example, say "more milk" as you point to the milk bottle.
Be patient and consistent. Your child may need some time to learn gestures.

With your help, your child will use gestures to communicate effectively in no time.

12 Gestures Your Child Should Know By Age 2

Gestures: A Brief History

Further Reading