{"h1":"When should a child develop non-verbal communication?","faq":[{"a":"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.","q":"At what age should a child start pointing?"},{"a":"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.","q":"Is non-verbal communication as important as talking?"},{"a":"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.","q":"When should I be concerned about non-verbal communication?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication","title":"When should a child develop non-verbal communication?","entity":{"key":"non-verbal-communication","kind":"skill","name":"non verbal communication","slug":"non-verbal-communication"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Child","value":"child"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Milestone","value":"milestone"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"ability","label":"Communication Skills","value":"communication-skills"},{"kind":"assessment","label":"Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised","value":"adir"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 4: Quality Education","value":"4"},{"kind":"skill","label":"non verbal communication","value":"non-verbal-communication"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Teacher / Educator","value":"teacher"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Therapist / Clinician","value":"therapist"}],"parent":{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal","title":"What does it mean if my child is not yet showing nonverbal communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class","title":"Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers"},{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication","title":"At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication","title":"Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-non-verbal-communication","title":"When do children develop non-verbal communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication","title":"What signs suggest my child may need support with nonverbal communication?"}],"summary":"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.","answer_md":"*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.*\n\n## In short\nNon-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.\n\n## How non-verbal communication grows\n- **0–9 months:** smiles back, makes eye contact, turns to your voice, reaches to be picked up.\n- **9–15 months:** points to show and to ask, waves bye-bye, shakes head, follows your point.\n- **18–24 months:** combines gesture with sounds and looks, brings objects to share interest.\n- **3–7 years:** understands facial expressions and tone, uses gestures to support words, joins back-and-forth play and conversation.\n\nNon-verbal skills (ICF d3, Communication) actually lead spoken language — a child who points and shares attention is laying the groundwork for words.\n\n## When to check in\nGentle 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.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nA clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) 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](/non-verbal-communication) and how [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) builds these foundations playfully.\n\n## Trusted sources\nAligned with WHO ICF (d3 Communication), CDC developmental milestones, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics.\n\n**Next step —** if you're unsure where your child stands, book a friendly developmental check on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"}],"meta_title":"Non-Verbal Communication: Milestones by Age","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"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.","published_at":"2026-06-10T14:10:00.215102+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-non-verbal-communication","title":"When do children develop non-verbal communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication","title":"At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication","title":"Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class","title":"Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers","reason":"Linked from this 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Non-Verbal Communication in Children","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Amber zone for non-verbal communication — what to do next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Green Zone for Non-Verbal Communication — What to Do Next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next","title":"Red zone for non-verbal communication — what to do next","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-non-verbal-communication","title":"Techniques to develop a child's non-verbal communication","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-non-verbal-communication","title":"How can a teacher support a student 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HealthyChildren — early communication"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T14:10:00.215102+00:00","meta_description":"When does non-verbal communication develop? Pointing, gestures and eye contact by age — gentle milestones and when to seek a friendly developmental check.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}