Pointing. Who would have thought? But let’s dive in:
The more that parents gesture, the more their baby will gesture as well. 1
In experimental trials, infants that were encouraged to point while learning new vocabulary gestured more and used more words in their follow-up observations.2
Pointing with one finger is a developmental milestone, that is typically developed by 18 months.
But it is so much more than a milestone:
Inevitably, as you or your baby points to something, a conversation will ensue. 3
Pointing is a form of “joint communication,” where both you and your child are paying attention to the same thing.4
Another example of how our interactions on the changing pad and in the tub are profoundly critical for building communication skills.
Age-Specific Strategies:
Keep it simple!
Happy May Day!
You’ve got this!
Next week, WE COUNT.
“What Are You Pointing At, Baby,” 2019