Helping Your Child Go From Gestures to Words: A Latina Mom’s Guide to Early Speech

By Lorilet Monegro, M.S., CCC-SLP

Hola, mamá. I’m Lorilet—a bilingual speech-language pathologist, a Dominican daughter, a mama, and someone who deeply understands the heart and hustle of Latina motherhood.

For over 20 years, I’ve worked with families just like yours—coaching parents, supporting toddlers with communication delays, and showing caregivers how to turn everyday routines into powerful moments for language growth.

I believe in our intuition as mothers. I believe in the power of our voices—and in helping our children find theirs.

Whether you’re raising your first baby or navigating new speech delays with your youngest, this post will help you understand the basics of early communication, what signs to watch for, and how you can support your child at home, without pressure or perfection.

Let’s dive in.

Why Early Speech Development Matters

From the moment our babies are born, they are communicating. The eye contact during feeding, the little coos, the pointing to a toy—they’re telling us something long before their first words.

But for many parents, especially first-time moms or bilingual families, it can feel confusing to know what’s “normal,” what’s just a delay, and when it’s time to do more.

Here’s what I want you to know: speech and language development is not one-size-fits-all. But there are foundational skills that help pave the way to confident, verbal communication. And you don’t have to wait for formal therapy or evaluations to start helping your child today.

The Foundation: Gestures, Imitation, and Joint Attention

Before your child says “mami,” they’re already talking with their body.

Early speech development begins with:

Gestures like pointing, waving, reaching, and clapping
Imitation of facial expressions, sounds, or actions
Joint attention—when your child looks at something and then looks at you, sharing their focus

These are the “pre-verbal” steps that lay the foundation for speech. And the more we respond to these cues—naming what they’re looking at, copying their gestures, pausing to give them space to react—the more we invite language in.

Common Concerns (Especially in Our Communities)

As Latina moms, we hear a lot of opinions.

“Él es varón, por eso habla tarde.”

“No te preocupes, tu prima no habló hasta los 4.”

“She’s just shy.”

While well-meaning, these messages can make us second-guess ourselves or delay getting support. The truth is, we can celebrate our culture while also staying informed.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Being bilingual doesn’t cause speech delays. In fact, bilingual brains are powerful! But kids still need strong models in each language.
Every child is different—but milestones still matter. If your child isn’t using gestures by 12 months, or isn’t combining words by 2 years, it’s worth looking deeper.
Early support makes a difference. You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis or a teacher to say something. If your gut says “I think we need help,” trust it.

You Are Your Child’s First Teacher

Here’s the most important thing I teach in every session, course, and coaching call:

YOU have what it takes.

You don’t need flashcards, apps, or fancy toys. You don’t need to be a therapist. You just need to be present, playful, and intentional.

Here’s how you can support your child right now, using what you already have:

5 Practical Tips to Support Your Child’s Speech at Home

1. Narrate Your Day

Talk through what you’re doing as if your child were your little assistant.

“Vamos a lavar tus manitas. Agua. Jabón. ¡Todo limpio!”

2. Pause and Wait

After you say something, pause—and count to five in your head. Give your child time to respond, even if it’s with a sound or gesture.

3. Repeat and Expand

If your child says “ball,” you say, “Sí, una pelota roja. ¡Rueda la pelota!”

4. Use Play to Practice

Play is language in action. Pretend cooking, feeding dolls, or building blocks offer dozens of ways to label, request, and describe.

5. Celebrate All Attempts

Whether it’s a new word, a new sound, or a new gesture—celebrate it! Your encouragement makes all the difference.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you want step-by-step guidance, video examples, and downloadable tools to help you put these strategies into action, I created something just for you.

🎓 My online course, From Gestures to Words, is open now!

This self-paced program is perfect for Latina moms who want expert support in a warm, realistic way. You’ll learn:

How to spot early communication milestones
What to do when your child isn’t talking
How to model language naturally during meals, play, and routines
When to seek extra help (and how to do it confidently)
How to use visuals, gestures, and routines to boost speech

💻 You can take the course from home, on your own time.

🧾 It includes trackers, visual tools, and a downloadable workbook.

💬 And best of all—you can reach out to me directly with questions.

Because Every Voice Matters

Mamá, your child doesn’t need perfect speech.

They need connection.

They need your presence.

And they need you to believe in their ability to communicate in their own time, with your support.

So wherever you are today—whether your child is babbling, pointing, or quietly observing—you’re doing the right thing just by being here.

And I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Resources

👉 Click here to learn more about the From Gestures to Words Online Course

Follow us on Social Media:

Facebook – Dr. Lorilet Monegro: https://www.facebook.com/lori.delgado.33

Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/thespeechlanguagesolutionshub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechlanguagesolutionshub/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-speech-language-solutions-hub/

Check out Dr. Lorilet Monegro’s website: https://www.loriletmonegro.com/