Your child needs lots of models and experience to understand and use a head nod or thumbs up for “yes.” “Yes” is harder to learn than “no.”

When your child moves their face away from offered food, we can shape that movement into meaning of “no.” There isn’t a natural movement that comes up naturally for “yes.” That’s why this gesture takes longer to develop.

Today’s activity: When you offer an item, ask “Do you want this…?” If they reach for the object you can say, “Yes,” and model the gesture. Or test our the temperature: “Is it hot?…Yes.”

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