Final answer:
Symbolic gestures like blowing and sniffing manifest before babies say their first words, emerging as part of early non-verbal communication and often predicting later language development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symbolic gestures, such as blowing to mean hot, or sniffing to mean flower, emerge before babies say their first words. These gestures are a part of early non-verbal communication skills that develop as babies start to understand and interpret the world around them. It is during the babbling stage, which typically starts after a few months of life, that babies experiment with repetitive syllables. However, symbolic gesture usage may predict subsequent language development and these gestures often precede the actual formation of words.
For instance, around 9-12 months, infants respond to verbal requests to perform actions such as "wave bye-bye" or "blow a kiss". Although the first word usually appears between 12 and 18 months, gestures are present earlier and serve as a bridge to the spoken language. This progression underscores the intricate relationship between gestural and verbal communication as part of cognitive development.