Podcast

Does your toddler have difficulty pointing to let you know what he/she wants? I call it the quintessential gesture because once toddlers learn how to point, they've reached a new milestone for communicating. We no longer have to guess what they want; they're showing us! We refer to pointing as a gesture - or a nonverbal way to communicate a specific message. Research from firstwordsproject.com states that toddlers should have 16 gestures by 16 months. Gestures always precede spoken words in language development; it's a predictor of when toddlers begin to use words. Join pediatric speech- language pathologist Laura Mize, M.S., CCC-SLP of teachmetotalk.com as she shares tips for teaching toddlers (especially those with language delays) how to point. Therapists - get one hour ce credit for only $5 for this course! See details here: teachmetotalk....

[@christabelmisiko4562]

WOW! I just wanna say thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart for this podcast. So, my toddler turned 24 months on july 4th 2021. A couple of weeks later I realised he wasnt pointing (I didnt know that was actually a milestone. His peadetrician never asked me this EVER!) though we are based in kenya. I only realised through google that toddlers should be pointing by 18 months. So he wasnt pointing and only spoke less than ten words. I went into panic mode and researched ways to help him. I came across your podcast and BOY did I practice EVERYTHING you said. I am so happy to report that after 6 weeks, my toddler who is now 25 months is pointing! He started today. I asked him where is the sky? and he pointed to the sky, and to teh tree and to the windows. I am ecstatic. Not only is he pointing, he is up tp 100 words now and said his first two word sentence two days ago "dada go" talk about milestones!! WOAH!

[@SummerHaze83]

So nice to hear this. Could you share few activities that you did with your child. any tips. Thanks

[@christabelmisiko4562]

@@SummerHaze83 firt of all, I taught him what a pointer is that way when i asked him where is pointer he was able to show me his index finger. Then we read books with lots and lots of pictures and i told him to use his pointer to point to the interesting pictures on it, and if he didnt i had to assist him to do it. Eventually he got the hang of it. Also bought a book from amazon called poke a dot that helped him really isolate the index finger. we also played with bubbles daily and i encouraged him to pop them with his index finger. Also, every morning when he woke up i made up a pointing game whereby i asked him where the fan , door, window, bed was and encouraged him(with my hand assistance ) to point to them. I did this over and over and over. Then during the course of the day we literally walked through the entire house and i pointed at EVERYTHING and named them. I did this over and over even when i thought he wasnt interedted. When je wanted a snack to eat, i would ask him where is pointer? and he would point to the snack and then i would give it to him. Also, he has a blue cup and a red cup and when he wanted juice, i would encourage him to point to the cup he wanted before giving it to him. Finally, in the mornings after he got dressed, i used to take him outside and ask him where the sky was, he would look up instead of pointing... I encouraged him to point (i would take his hand and point with him to the sky, the trees, the cars, etc. I did this every morning without fail until one day he pointed at them all by himself. Oh boy what a day!

[@SummerHaze83]

Thank you . My child is able to isolate index finger and use it to push buttons in a toy or press the keys of piano . But not pointing to objects . When he wants something , instead of pointing , he will hold my hand and drag me to that object . I ll try to use some of the tips that you suggested

[@christabelmisiko4562]

@@SummerHaze83 mine did the same hand leading thing. you just have to be patient with him and teach him over and over every single day until he gets the hang of it.

[@CeNaibaMah]

@@christabelmisiko4562 Hey, your story gives me hope. I realized my toddler wasn't pointing and also that I wasn't practicing that with him at all. So he started doing hand leading to show me what he wants. I will start using some of your tips as well. He is 19 months now, he does other hand gestures, like clapping or high five, so I am really hopeful I will manage to teach him how to point.

[@denysgill]

Im always going to be forever grateful to you. I applied your tips and my son started to point. Now working on other tips. God bless you!!!!

[@shylabradford9536]

How long did it take your son?!!

[@denysgill]

@@shylabradford9536 Im sorry I just saw your post. For my son it took him about a month. It did indeed helped me so much and I can't even paid this beautiful angel for what she did to my son. Once again thank you very much!!!!! Blessings

[@lourdestrujillo8292]

Hi there, I just want to write how this video help me and my son .. he is now 19 months old and he is diagnosed with autism at age 14 months .. I just did everything you said in this video and after 4 months of practice my son now points and now becuase that he had a explosion of words .. I share this video all the time in different fb groups with mums like me .. you job is awesome and can’t wait to continue this journey with my son xx

[@bimalg9671]

I need your help....My son is 19 m old but still not pointing....

[@lahithyas_mom]

Sorry for off topic question... what were the red flags that u saw in him to go for evaluation?

[@ushas6904]

So now that he is talking and pointing is his still autistic?

[@TheIoana360]

AS far as I know, the earliest they can get diagnosed for autism is 2 years. I would double check that with a different dr.

[@Brit943]

My child is 18 months and has a lot of the autism symptoms.. In my research I found a term called “virtual autism”.. it is a term used for children who are exposed to too much tv or screen time and as a result of that sensory overload, they start developing autism traits/symptoms. My son has basically been in the house w me and his dad for the last year and a half and watching a lot of tv.. well I stopped him cold turkey.. no tv and no one using electronics around him.. I’m on day 5 and he has started using the sign language for more.. ate more. Slept more. Is letting us read him books lol and even looking at the pages of books by himself. I’ve been implanting A LOT of tools I’m getting from these videos and it’s working so fast I feel so much better.

[@graciavelasquez9997]

thanks so much for helping parents, help their children and start interventions at home

[@gabrielabrown8830]

This lady is amazing! i've only watched 3 videos of hers and i am learning sooooo much. My LO needs all the help he can get and this is by far the best tips i have come across.

[@HelpMeGrowSpeech]

As a speech Language Pathologist, I’m CONSTANTLY working on gestures with my kiddos. Joint attention is a difficult skill for me, the therapist, to work on, without the parents also working on it at home

[@210leyla]

Thank you for this video Laura! I’m a mom of a late talker. I purchased one of your books. He’s 2 years old and the book and videos have been sooooo helpful! ✨

[@anialiu5266]

Kindly tell me book names

[@Lisargarza]

That “dot on the finger” trick is brilliant! Can’t wait to try it on my grandson!

[@nj0991]

First of all I would like to thank you for this great initiative from your side to help parents across the world. Secondly, I have a doubt about pointing. My son now 18.5 months is perfect is all milestones which he attained way earlier than the mentioned time periods but never pointed. Or atleast I haven’t noticed ever. He has his ways to make us know what he needs or what he is upto. He has all gestures include pull, grab and take hands, claps, wave, hi fives etc depends on the circumstances. Understands pretty much all my commands and very smart thinker too. He is very social and always play with us. Just this pointing thing is giving me hard time. I have noticed almost all day he uses his index finger to play his small keyboard or to touch plug points, laptop keys sometimes, knows to use index finger to cut video calls from his grand parents.. So he is good with that index finger and he knows what he can do with it. I haven’t seen him using it to show us anything. He shows things by taking it himself. But he looks at where I points. I am very confused now. He is pointing in his way I think. I am anyway working on making him developing requests by pointing. He sleeps and naps well, eat good even though he is a picky eater. I feels 100% satisfied in all other ways. He has dada, mama, some animal sounds, dances with songs, listens to nursery songs, lot of blabbering but kind of word conversations.But any advices or thoughts will be greatly appreciated. I will try myself until he is 19 months. If he isn’t pointing to request or not improving vocabs I will go to Development Paediatrician for further checkups. Truth is I never involved or never had time to teach him far pointing or more vocabs. I feels guilty. But I will try my best to fix this.

[@squeakco]

It’s not your fault. Most children use gestures to communicate without being taught how. Some children have challenges in communicating and need to be specifically taught. Most caregivers use pointing to help young children understand what they’re saying and you report that he understands your point, so you’re not the problem

[@gonzz84]

Very helpful Laura. I wasn't aware that pointing is a critical milestone, and hence we didn't practice it at home. My son is 20mo and is delayed at this and talking. He does a lot a hand leading, only points at pictures in books and says a few words. I will follow your tips and revert back in a month. Wish me luck! PS We did a lot of TV/phone, too much pacifier, and we are bilingual.

[@natiaburjanadze2854]

Very much what’s happening with us. Our baby is 19 months old. Wish you good luck!

[@vv4l]

Hey, any luck with her tips? I will try them with my 17 months baby.

[@rushdafathima3149]

Hi how is your child at pointing now

[@vv4l]

@@rushdafathima3149 Mine started to point at everything after we follow this tips, it was amazing :) It took him one week aprox to start pointing, but a few weeks more to start pointing things that were too far, asking for food, making the gesture right... so we were really grateful to find this video :)

[@zahraayub9662]

@@rushdafathima3149 my daughter start pointing now .she is 2.3 years

[@SummerHaze83]

Thank you so much for the video. Appreciate how much effort you put in to make this video. I have a question - when do we say a child is able to point- is being able to press the keys on the toy piano with his index finger (50:15) , or being able to press on Red, Green and Yellow buttons on a toy considered as pointing or he has hit the milestone only when they point to something of interest like a picture on wall or toy on the shelf

[@gaurivipat6153]

These are some really awesome tips....love your show and it has given me tremendous insights in my work with kids!

[@Mihaylova9]

Same here! ❤️

[@katiewalker4571]

Hi! I know that it has been almost 11 months since you posted this, but I hope you are still checking! Can you tell me the brand/name of that 2nd toy you used as an example? The one after the Cookie Monster toy? Thanks!!!

[@fiorellagift9277]

Thank you so much this is what i need. Im so desperate to teach my toddler about point, and you describe really well

[@amberg6623]

Can a child have delayed pointing due to lack of parent pointing in the beginning?

[@ladygaga1216]

I want to know this too

[@natiaburjanadze2854]

I want to know this too.

[@lipsan6041]

Can someone answer this? I too want to know

[@DrSAlex25]

can anyone answer this?! plllease

[@glshgkk]

+1

[@ushas6904]

Hi is high chair needed to make them sit at one place and teach?

[@jessicafree2564]

Just wanted to say I used some of these 'pointers' (loool dry joke) in your video and my baby started pointing at 15 months.. I think I over did it cause now he points at everything 😂..

[@jessicawyss7576]

Thank you so much I'm a first time mom of a 14 month old im I'm trying to work on pointing and gestures with him and I'm been doing my research and I found your videos and they have been so helpful thank you 😊

[@lathar4126]

How is ur dear baby doing now.. Is he pointing good now?

[@unzatabassum3323]

Hi. My 21 yeat old, according to his corrected age, is at high rish of asd. The doctors cant label him with it yet. He has been suggested for ot and aba. He doesnot concentrate even for one sec. Doesnt understand anything. No words no babble walk on toes. I am just so stressed. Pls help

[@shah237]

She starts the actual tips at about 9:00

[@jessicaspaw9524]

You are AMAZING!! 😍 I was thinking some stores have those little finger puppet books or just finger puppets in general and those may help as well. 😊

[@itziahurtado]

You are amazing! This is such an amazingly helpful video!! I was pointing at birds 🐦 yesterday and just became so frustrated internally. Thank u!!

[@ioanaopp7037]

Would this strategy help for a 3 year old on the spectrum?

[@DrSAlex25]

have you tried it with your kid ?????

[@annytshilomba4107]

Hello mrs Laura, I liked this video but I wanna know something about this , you mean the child can have a delay if the parents don’t show him or her how to point?

[@missnazstylee]

wonderful video amazing tips I appreciate the work you do I love all your videos Thanks sooooo much 😍😍😍😍

[@amuworld3948]

My child uses both hand index fingers for these toys,so which hand should i help him to point

[@mmstivo2415]

Thank you 🙏 very much, you’re awesome person.

[@kkj7483]

Do premature kids point later wn compared to normal term kids .my kid is 12 months old she is clapping hands and giving hifi.she is not pointing and waving shld I be worried

[@debrathomas4425]

Thank you. This is going to be so helpful in helping my grandson catch up with pointing.

[@ChiliTomatoNoodle]

Great information and great presentation.

[@ethelmartinaacosta9540]

Thank you for boosting my learning and sharing skills with my kids. Just can't get enough. Keep at it girl. Looking forward to getting that certificate. 8)

[@theallureofcooking5158]

I don't know if you are going to read this. I am crying while typing this. My baby was 22 month old he was not pointing nor speaking. I did all this video taught. Just in 2 month my boy speaking 100s of words and pointing whenever i asked where is something. Thank you soo much for the video.

[@teachmetotalk]

Thank you for the success story : ) We hear those all the time around here!

[@mohitsekhawat634]

I think it's a paid comment

[@Pg-kx2gy]

Can using sign language be considered gestures?

[@squeakco]

Yes. Sign is more complex than basic gestures, so a step up from pointing and waving

[@neetisaxena6520]

My baby always looks when I point the things.but he doesn't point ..he gives me high five he touch the bubbles with his fingers..is he ok?

[@mohitsekhawat634]

How's your baby

[@neetisaxena6520]

@@mohitsekhawat634 he is ok now .he talks much and very intelligent

[@mohitsekhawat634]

@@neetisaxena6520 that's nice. How old is he? And what was other symptoms?

[@neetisaxena6520]

@@mohitsekhawat634 there is no symptoms he is normal and 2.7 years old

[@Shriyascookingdelight]

I really want to know my baby used to talk when he was 18 months now he doesn’t wants to or 50% of d time he won’t reacts to his name called he’s going to be 2 yrs next month what shall i do ?

[@rushdafathima3149]

Hi how's your son now

[@DrSAlex25]

how is your son doing? my son is same thing and am really anxious !

[@kkj7483]

Hi how is son now hope he is fine

[@kkj7483]

Hi Shriya how is ur son now hope he is fine is he diagnosed

[@alexkendz3658]

My daughter knows how to point, but not pointing to the things that she want, she would just pull my hand. But when I ask here like letters ABC in the chart. Like “where is letter A and she would point” “where is the star” she would go to the chart and point the star. But when pointing to the things that she want and couldn’t reach it, she would drag me, let me carry her and draw my hand to the things that she want. I tried to teach her how, holding her hand but she is not interested and would throw tantrums if she can’t get it. Im stressed

[@mohitsekhawat634]

How's your baby now

[@chenyuchou2763]

this is super helpful!thanks

[@LSK1]

Lovely video!

[@LizzieDeanMakes]

The blackbird song - in England we sing Peter and Paul (the apostles) - two little blackbirds sitting on a wall, one named Peter, one named Paul, fly away Peter, fly away Paul, come back Peter, come back Paul

[@LizzieDeanMakes]

We also have completely different words to Pat-a-cake - “pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man, bake me a cake as fast as you can, pat it and prick it and mark it with B and put it in the oven for baby and me”

[@LizzieDeanMakes]

And we have different words to open shut them too 🤣

[@nkirukanwabueze1563]

Another great video. Thank you for sharing

[@SRoseBlog]

This is super helpful. Im a mom

[@ayatahmad2156]

Great content and very helpful. 12:10 I'm coming back

[@celeste_lives2747]

My son is 28 months. He won’t point or gesture but he will bring the remote for the TV or Cheetos for his snack time and pull my hand and turn me to pick him up. He isn’t speaking though he did at 18 months he stopped.

[@Shriyascookingdelight]

Celeste Gibson same with me my son is going to get 2 yrs next month and am really worried

[@quijamesata1077]

Hi Celeste. Can you give and update on your son please? My son is 27 months and he sounds just like your son. I took him to his GP today and we have been referred to a speech therapist.

[@kkj7483]

Hi how is ur kid now hope he is fine

[@celeste_lives2747]

@@quijamesata1077 Liam is now 38 months and he is using words. He is good with 1-3 word response but his speech isn’t perfect yet but he went from having a 20 month speech delay to a 6 month speech delay. Hope this helps and give hope. He has SP, OT and SI therapy.

[@celeste_lives2747]

@@kkj7483 He is much better thanks so much. He is talking at a 29 month level and he is 38 months old which is great improvements

[@gingersnap3024]

I love you!

[@mitrakumar7442]

u are superb , can i have ur email contact please ,am masters SLP+ audiology from India with PGDND , ur talks are highly educative

[@jaskohasovich2537]

Good video, please fix your sound.