Small human studyEarly-stage research

How Babies Combine Words and Actions to Communicate Their Needs

A study found that babies frequently use both single words and physical actions or gestures to communicate, and mothers are more likely to respond when these actions clearly match what the baby is saying.

Educational summary - not medical advice. Always consult your child's care team.
Developmental DelayCommunication·

Research Profile

Source:Infancy : the official journal of the International Society on Infant Studies

Published: May 1, 2026

Added to SpecialCircle: June 19, 2026

Evidence Level

Small human study

Research Status

Early-stage research

Key takeaways

  • •Babies often combine words with gestures (like pointing) and actions (like reaching) to express their needs and desires.
  • •This combined approach, called "multimodal communication," is common during everyday activities at home.
  • •Mothers are more likely to understand and respond to their baby's requests and protests when the baby's gestures and actions align with their words.
  • •The study highlights that early communication is deeply connected to a baby's physical actions and their environment.

Source

Infancy : the official journal of the International Society on Infant Studies · Peer-reviewed study

Read the original source

Plain-language summary

This study looked at how babies (12-24 months old) communicate with their mothers during everyday activities at home. It found that babies don't just use single words to express what they want or don't want; they also use gestures, like pointing, and actions, like reaching or pushing something away.

When babies use these actions or gestures at the same time as their words, especially when the actions clearly match the words (like saying "no" while pushing a toy), mothers are more likely to understand and respond. This shows that early communication is a mix of words and body language.

Why parents may care

Understanding that your baby uses more than just words to communicate can help you better interpret their needs and reduce frustration. Paying attention to their gestures and actions alongside their speech can provide clearer clues about what they are trying to tell you.

What this means for daily life

In your daily interactions, try to observe your child's physical cues—their pointing, reaching, or body movements—when they are trying to communicate. These actions, especially when they match their words, can give you a deeper insight into their thoughts and feelings, making communication smoother for both of you.

What is still unknown

While this study shows how multimodal communication works in typical infant development, more research is needed to understand how these patterns might differ in children with developmental delays or communication challenges. It's also unclear how different caregiving styles might influence the development and effectiveness of multimodal communication, or if specific interventions can leverage these findings.

Frequently asked questions about Developmental Delay

Babies communicate their needs and desires using single words, along with gestures (like pointing) and actions (like reaching or flailing their arms) during everyday activities.

Terminology glossary

Multimodal communication
When a baby uses both words and physical actions or gestures at the same time to express a thought or need.
Unimodal speech
When a baby uses only words, without accompanying gestures or actions, to communicate.
Requests
When a baby asks for something, such as saying 'milk' or reaching for a toy.
Protests
When a baby expresses disapproval or refusal, like saying 'no!' or pushing something away.
Aligned gestures/actions
When a baby's gestures or actions match the meaning or intent of their words, making their communication clearer and more effective.
Everyday home activities
Normal, routine tasks and interactions that happen in a family's home environment, where much of early communication takes place.

Questions to ask your doctor or therapist

  • ?What are the typical communication milestones for my child's age, and how do they include gestures and actions?
  • ?How can I best support my child's multimodal communication development?
  • ?Are there any signs of communication delay related to gestures and actions that I should be aware of?
  • ?What resources are available if I'm concerned about my child's speech and language development?

⚕️ This research digest is for educational and community support purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified doctor, therapist, or medical professional before making decisions about care.

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