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Working on Verbal & Nonverbal Communication at Home
Build verbal and nonverbal communication at home through face-to-face play, naming everyday actions, pausing to give your child a turn, and treating every gesture as meaningful. Communication grows from warm connection, and little-and-often beats long sessions. These activities support development but do not replace a clinical assessment if you are concerned.
In this answer 5 sections
Every shared glance, gesture and giggle is a building block of communication — and your living room is the best place to start.
In short
You can grow your child's verbal and nonverbal communication at home through warm, everyday moments — face-to-face play, naming what you both see, pausing to let your child respond, and responding to their gestures as if they're full sentences. Communication grows from connection, not drills, so little-and-often beats long sessions. These activities support development; they do not replace a clinical assessment if you have concerns.
Activities you can try today
Build nonverbal foundations (gestures, eye contact, expressions)
- Get down to your child's eye level during play — face-to-face is where back-and-forth begins.
- Use big, friendly facial expressions and gestures: wave bye-bye, point at the bird, clap, blow kisses.
- Copy your child first. If they bang a spoon, you bang a spoon — being imitated makes children want to communicate more.
- Offer choices by holding up two objects ("banana or apple?") so a point, reach or look becomes meaningful.
Grow verbal communication (words and sounds)
- Narrate the day — "Now we wash hands… splash, splash!" Children learn words by hearing them tied to real actions.
- Pause and wait. After you ask or offer, count slowly to five. That silence is your child's turn to babble, gesture or speak.
- Add one word. If your child says "car", you say "big car" or "red car" — expand, don't correct.
- Sing and use rhymes with actions; the rhythm and repetition make words easy to predict and join in.
- Read together by talking about the pictures rather than reading every word — point, ask, and follow what interests them.
Make it stick
- Follow your child's lead — talk about whatever they're already looking at or holding.
- Reduce background noise (TV off) so your voice and theirs are easy to hear.
- Celebrate every attempt — a sound, a point, a look — so communicating feels rewarding.
When to seek a check
These activities suit most children, but speak to a professional if your child isn't using gestures like pointing by around 12 months, has very few words by 2, or seems to lose skills they once had. Early support is gentle, hopeful and effective — explore speech therapy to see how guided play builds on what you do at home.
The Pinnacle way
Across 70+ centres in 4 states, our 700+ therapists weave these same everyday strategies into play-based sessions and coach families to use them at home. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — home activities are a wonderful start, not a substitute for that assessment.
Trusted sources
Guided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on early communication, CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones, and the WHO–UNICEF Nurturing Care Framework on responsive caregiving.
Next step — message our team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to book a developmental assessment or ask which home activities best fit your child's stage.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Speak to a professional if your child isn't pointing or gesturing by around 12 months, has very few words by age 2, isn't joining two words by age 3, or appears to lose communication skills they once had.
In everyday life
After you ask or offer something, pause and count slowly to five — that silence becomes your child's turn to babble, gesture or speak.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
How much time should I spend on these activities each day?
Little and often works best. A few minutes woven into mealtimes, bath time and play throughout the day is far more effective than one long session — communication grows through everyday connection.
My child uses gestures but few words — is that a problem?
Gestures like pointing and waving are an important and healthy part of communication, and often come before words. If your child has very few words by age 2 or isn't combining two words by age 3, it's worth arranging a developmental check for reassurance and guidance.
Should I correct my child when they say a word wrong?
Gently model the right version instead of correcting. If they say "wabbit", you reply "yes, a rabbit!" — this keeps communication positive and encourages them to keep trying.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceASHA — Communication milestones
- Source referenceCDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- Organisation website · further readingWHO–UNICEF Nurturing Care Framework
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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General information supports a conversation with an appropriately qualified professional. Advice, goals and support depend on the individual child.