Early Communication

Early communication refers to the foundational skills needed for person-to-person interactions and future language development. 

Communication may be unintentional (e.g. yawning might express fatigue) or intentional (e.g. reaching towards an out-of-reach toy and making eye contact with a nearby adult).

Some early communication skills include:

• requesting more of an activity by making eye contact, smiling, reaching, or gesturing toward a communication partner

• refusing or rejecting an object or activity by pushing the adult's hand away, frowning, vocalizing, and looking at an adult with an upset face

Language Calendars for Early Communicators