Using signs and gestures

What are signs and gestures?

Signs and gestures are when you give extra information to the words you say by using actions with your hands or body- like when you wave bye.

Why use signs and gestures?

Using signs and gestures helps children to understand words. Children can use signs and gestures before they can use words so promoting the use of signs and gestures give children a way to communicate. Lots of children make up their own gestures to indicate things they want, introducing signs supports their communication strengths.

How to use signs and gestures

• Start by introducing 1 or 2 signs at a time.
• Pick out key words that are interesting and useful to your child, you don’t need to sign every word you say. For example, words like “drink”, “food”, “more”, “finished” or favourite toys and activities are often good ones to start with. You can find signs on the internet, tv programmes, or use natural gestures. Imagine how you would ask someone across a noisy room if they wanted a drink.
• Use the word and sign together, and use lots of repetition.
• Find lots of opportunities to practise the sign everyday and be consistent in using the sign every
  time you use the word.
• Don’t expect your child to use the sign as understanding comes before use.