ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights recent findings in the development of gestures, and uses them to further support the interactionist perspective. First, an overview of gesture types is presented. Then the findings across gesture studies are used to provide additional examples of Chapman's two key generalizations, as well as to address aspects of both nurture and nature as related to gesture development. Gestures are actions produced with the intent to communicate and are typically expressed using the fingers, hands, and arms, but can also include facial features. Chapman's second generalization regarding "new forms" is especially relevant for the examination of gesture development. Bruner suggested the behavioral basis for referential skills occurs initially through eye gaze and motor movements. The transition from gestural labels to verbal labels also provides support for the second generalization. Finally, the interactionist perspective would suggest that specific language and conceptual understanding of events of interest give weight and cue value to particular aspects of meaning and form.
