YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
When should a child develop non-verbal communication?
Non-verbal communication develops from birth: pointing, waving and following gaze by 9–12 months, gesture-with-eye-contact by 18–24 months, and reading expressions and sharing attention by 3–7 years. These are guides, not deadlines — seek a check if pointing, eye contact or gesture seem limited by 12–24 months, or if skills are lost.
In this answer 5 sections
Long before a single clear word arrives, your child is already 'talking' — with eyes, hands, faces and gestures. That is non-verbal communication, and it is the foundation everything else is built upon.
In short
Non-verbal communication develops from birth and is well-established by the toddler years. By around 9–12 months most children point, wave, reach and follow your gaze; by 18–24 months they use rich gestures with eye contact; and between 3 and 7 years they read facial expressions, share attention smoothly and use body language to take turns in play and conversation. These are gentle guides, not a stopwatch — children vary.
How non-verbal communication grows
- 0–9 months: smiles back, makes eye contact, turns to your voice, reaches to be picked up.
- 9–15 months: points to show and to ask, waves bye-bye, shakes head, follows your point.
- 18–24 months: combines gesture with sounds and looks, brings objects to share interest.
- 3–7 years: understands facial expressions and tone, uses gestures to support words, joins back-and-forth play and conversation.
Non-verbal skills (ICF d3, Communication) actually lead spoken language — a child who points and shares attention is laying the groundwork for words.
When to check in
Gentle reasons to seek a developmental check: little eye contact or pointing by 12–15 months, not sharing interest by sharing objects or looks by 18 months, or limited gesture and facial expression by age 2–3. Any loss of skills already gained deserves prompt attention.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — never from an online read. Explore non-verbal communication and how speech therapy builds these foundations playfully.
Trusted sources
Aligned with WHO ICF (d3 Communication), CDC developmental milestones, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Next step — if you're unsure where your child stands, book a friendly developmental check on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Seek a developmental check on limited eye contact or pointing by 12–15 months, no sharing of interest by 18 months, sparse gesture by age 2–3, or any loss of skills already gained.
In everyday life
Pause and wait after you point or wave — give your child a few seconds to respond or copy. This 'expectant pause' invites gestures and shared looks far more than rushing in.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
At what age should a child start pointing?
Most children point to show or ask for things between about 9 and 14 months, and follow your point soon after. Pointing to share interest by 18 months is an encouraging sign for language ahead.
Is non-verbal communication as important as talking?
Yes — gestures, eye contact and shared attention come before words and predict spoken language. Strong non-verbal skills are the foundation for later talking and conversation.
When should I be concerned about non-verbal communication?
Consider a friendly developmental check if there is little eye contact or pointing by 12–15 months, no sharing of interest by 18 months, limited gesture by age 2–3, or any loss of skills your child once had.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingWHO ICF — Communication (d3)
- Organisation website · further readingCDC developmental milestones
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — communication development
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren — early communication
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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