Hello and Goodbye Gestures
Parent models simple social gestures like waving hello and goodbye using stuffed animals, observing baby's attention, imitation attempts, and communicative intent. The agent coaches the parent to notice early gesture development, joint attention, and social communication foundations — building the bridge between physical movement and language meaning.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and child sitting facing each other on floor or comfortable surface. Have 2-3 familiar stuffed animals nearby. Ensure child is alert and in a good mood for interaction.
How it works
- 1~25s
Take one stuffed animal and hold it up near your face. Make the animal 'wave hello' with its paw or arm — use a clear, exaggerated waving motion. Say 'Hello!' in a friendly voice. Watch your child's face closely. Does they look at the waving paw? Does their expression change — maybe a smile or look of recognition? Tell me what you notice about their attention.
Watch for: Baby shows joint attention to the waving gesture — looking at the moving hand/paw, then possibly at parent's face.
- 2~30s
Now let's try 'goodbye.' Make the stuffed animal wave goodbye, then slowly move it away behind your back. Say 'Bye-bye!' in a slightly sad but warm tone. After you hide it, pause and look at your child. Does they look toward where the animal went? Does they make any movement with their own hand — even a small lift or wiggle? We're looking for early imitation attempts.
Watch for: Baby attempts to imitate the waving gesture — hand movement, arm lift, or finger wiggle in response.
- 3~35s
Let's introduce a 'help' gesture. Hold up a different stuffed animal and pretend it's 'stuck' — maybe tangled in your sleeve. Make a pleading face and gesture with open palms upward like 'help me!' Say 'Help? Can you help?' Watch your child's response. Does they reach for the toy? Point toward it? Make a sound or expression that shows they understands something is needed?
Watch for: Baby shows understanding of a request gesture through reaching, pointing, vocalizing, or concerned expression.