The relationship between motor development, gestures and language production in the second year of life: A mediational analysis

•We examined motor, gestural and language development in 102 children.•Mothers completed two parent report questionnaires at 12, 16, 20 and 23 months.•Motor ability at 12 months predicted language production at 16, 20 and 23 months.•Gesture use mediated the relationship between motor and language development.

This longitudinal study investigated the relationships between motor, gestural and linguistic abilities using two parent report instruments. Motor skills at 12 months significantly correlated with language production at 16, 20 and 23 months, but these associations were mediated by the use of representational gestures.