This came up in our community call on Wednesday, and I thought it was such an important one: “What do I do when my child pulls my hand instead of using words?” First, hand-pulling is communication. Your child is showing you that they want help, access, or attention. This video shares ways to build on this communication and shape it into words. Try this: 1. Acknowledge what they want by going with them 2. Point and label items in the area (e.g., "apple," "banana," "blueberries") 3. PAUSE and watch for a response. Give them a chance to look, reach, vocalize, sign, or try the word. 4. If no response, given 2 choices (1 of the choices should be the item they want) and PAUSE again. 5. Then give the item (no requiring a response!) 6. Hand-pulling can be a stepping stone toward more intentional communication. Instead of ignoring it or saying “use your words,” respond to the message and gently model the next step. These are the exact kinds of questions we talk through inside the community calls, with real examples from everyday routines.

In honor of Mother’s Day, here are some tried and true tips to get your baby to say “mama!” Thank you to all of the moms who are a part of this community and on this journey with me!

If your child is pointing, reaching, handing you things, or looking back and forth… they’re already communicating. The goal isn’t to “make” them talk. It’s to show them how words can work the same way their gestures do. 🧠 Why They’re Using Gestures Kids naturally choose what’s easiest and most efficient. Right now, gestures are: - faster - easier to control - already working Speech, on the other hand, is a complex motor skill. It requires coordinating the lips, tongue, jaw, breath, and voice all at once. So if a child can get their needs met by pointing or gesturing they will. Our job is not to take gestures away. It’s to add words alongside the gestures so speech becomes just as useful. 👀 Acknowledge First Start by showing them you understood. - “Oh, you want UP!” This keeps communication successful and motivating. 🗣 Model the Word + Gesture Back Pair their gesture with a simple word. - Child points → you say: “Ball!” (and point) - Child reaches → you say: “Up!” (and lift arms) Keep it simple and tied to their message. 🎶 Use Parentese Slightly slower, sing-song tone helps highlight the word. - “Baaaall!” - “Upppp!” 🔁 Repeat Repetition helps their brain and body learn the word. - “Ball! You want the ball? Ball!” ⏸ Pause and Wait After you model… pause. Give them a chance to: - look at you - try a sound - gesture again - imitate Even a small attempt counts. You’re teaching: - “My communication gets a response” - “There’s a word for what I mean” - “I can try it too” That’s how gestures turn into words over time. If your child is using gestures but not yet talking, they may still be building key communication foundations like shared attention and imitation Drop a comment with a gesture your child uses and I’ll help you turn it into a word to model 👇

If your child is close to first words, try these strategies! Let me know how it goes in the comments!

If your child isn’t talking yet… start here 👇 These are first words to model (spoken + signs) that actually work ✨ “Power words” = words your child can use all day to get their wants and needs met Think: ✔ more ✔ all done ✔ help ✔ open ✔ drink ✔ eat ✔ stop ✔ mine ✔ no ✔ mama / dada (to get your attention!) Why these first? Because they’re multi-functional and your child can use them across routines, not just in one situation And when words work… kids are more motivated to use them 🙌 💡 Start by: • picking 1–2 words your child would truly need • modeling them during real moments (not drills) • pairing signs + speech • repeating them throughout the day This is how you build meaningful communication from the start 🤍