Author: N. Capone and K. McGregor.
Source: Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, (2004), vol 47, 173-186.
The article presented an overview of the development and function of gestures (motions that express how one feels) in childhood and the use of gesturing with certain types of language impairment. The authors state that the use of gestures enhances language development. They provide a chart on the development of gestures from 10 months to school age.
Gesturing begins around 10 ? 12 months of age and can be linked to emerging first words. Gesturing can help children compensate for delays in their language skills and helps with language learning. Therefore, the use of gesturing should be evaluated in a child with language delay and may be a part of their therapy to help with overall communication success.
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