Gestures and signs: how the skill grows from 12 to 26 months
Gestures and signs means using the hands to communicate: waving, nodding, shaking the head, raising arms for "up" or a simple sign for "more". Gestures let a child say things before the words are ready.
Updated
Gestures and signs: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: Waves bye. Waves when someone leaves, sometimes after they are out of the door.
Activities that fit this step
- Two-Choice Snack Pick · 12–18 months · 5–10 min
- Photo Wall Hello Kisses · 12–20 months · 3–6 min
- Sock Puppet Hello · 12–20 months · 3–8 min
Next step: Gestures for needs. Raises arms to be picked up and shakes the head for "no".
Activities that fit this step
- Photo Wall Hello Kisses · 12–20 months · 3–6 min
- Sock Puppet Hello · 12–20 months · 3–8 min
- Goodbye Wave at the Window · 12–24 months · 2–5 min
Next step: Signs at meals. Uses a simple sign for "more" or "all done".
Activities that fit this step
- Sock Puppet Hello · 12–20 months · 3–8 min
- Goodbye Wave at the Window · 12–24 months · 2–5 min
- Snack Signs: More and All Done · 13–22 months · 5–15 min
Next step: Gesture plus word. Says "bye" while waving, or nods while saying "yes".
Activities that fit this step
- Snack Signs: More and All Done · 13–22 months · 5–15 min
- Clear Tub Ask for Help · 14–22 months · 3–8 min
- Bubble Wand Turns · 20–30 months · 5–12 min
Top of the ladder (gesture plus word). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Snack Signs: More and All Done · 13–22 months · 5–15 min
- Clear Tub Ask for Help · 14–22 months · 3–8 min
- Bubble Wand Turns · 20–30 months · 5–12 min
The gestures and signs ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 12 to 26 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
-
Watches gestures
Smiles at a wave and watches your hands closely.
-
Waves bye
Waves when someone leaves, sometimes after they are out of the door.
-
Gestures for needs
Raises arms to be picked up and shakes the head for "no".
-
Signs at meals
Uses a simple sign for "more" or "all done".
-
Gesture plus word
Says "bye" while waving, or nods while saying "yes".
When gestures and signs usually shows up
Waving bye-bye is a CDC 12-month milestone. Using more gestures than waving and pointing, such as nodding for yes or blowing a kiss, is a CDC 24-month milestone.
This page follows gestures and signs from 12 to 26 months, a window that spans the 12-month, 15-month, 18-month and 24-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 7 activities practise gestures and signs (1 as their main skill), for ages 12 to 30 months. One of them needs no prep and takes 10 minutes or less. By age, they sit closest to steps 2, 3 and 5 of the 5-step ladder, most (4) on “Waves bye”.
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 12 months and 24 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve gestures and signs. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 12 months | Waves to say goodbye. |
| 24 months | Uses gestures beyond waving and pointing, such as nodding for yes or blowing a kiss. |
Activities that practise gestures and signs
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 3 language, 3 social-emotional and 1 practical life. Quickest to start: Goodbye Wave at the Window (2–5 minutes).
Step 2: Waves bye
Step 3: Gestures for needs
Step 5: Gesture plus word
Skills practised alongside
The activities for gestures and signs most often also work on pointing to ask (3), finger feeding (2), showing affection (2), calming with help (1) and conversation turns (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Pair a gesture with a word every time: wave and say "bye".
- Use one simple sign at meals for "more" and another for "all done".
- Respond to every gesture as if it were a word.
What to avoid
- Holding back a snack until your child makes the sign; respond to whatever way they ask.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If your child does not wave or use any gestures by 12 months, or by 24 months uses no gestures beyond waving and pointing, mention it to the pediatrician.
Worried about gestures and signs between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start gestures and signs?
Waving bye-bye is a CDC 12-month milestone. Using more gestures than waving and pointing, such as nodding for yes or blowing a kiss, is a CDC 24-month milestone. The first step to look for: smiles at a wave and watches your hands closely.
How can I help my toddler with gestures and signs?
Pair a gesture with a word every time: wave and say "bye". Use one simple sign at meals for "more" and another for "all done". A good first activity is Photo Wall Hello Kisses (12–20 months).
What should I avoid when practising gestures and signs?
Holding back a snack until your child makes the sign; respond to whatever way they ask.
When should I mention gestures and signs to the pediatrician?
If your child does not wave or use any gestures by 12 months, or by 24 months uses no gestures beyond waving and pointing, mention it to the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.