- Definition
A gesture is a body movement, like shrugging your shoulders or tapping your foot, that helps you show what you're thinking or feeling without using words.
Shrugging your shoulders is a gesture that shows you don't know an answer.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A gesture is like talking with your hands and body instead of using your voice.
Ask your child: How can you show me you're excited without any words?
Common mix-up: Kids may think gestures are just random wiggles. A gesture is a specific movement that sends a clear message, like giving a thumbs-up.
Examples
- Waving to a friend across the playground is a gesture for 'hello'.
- Giving a thumbs-up is a gesture that means 'good job' or 'yes'.
gesture is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+7 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
