{"h1":"At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?","faq":[{"a":"Most children point to ask for things by around 12 months and point to share interest (\"look at that!\") by 14–16 months. Pointing to share is an especially good sign of healthy communication.","q":"When should my toddler start pointing?"},{"a":"Yes. In the second year, gestures often lead and words follow. Children typically pair gestures with single words by 18–24 months, then use words more as their vocabulary grows.","q":"Is it normal that my toddler gestures more than they talk?"},{"a":"Consider a developmental screen if your child shows little eye contact or few gestures by 18 months, or if they stop using gestures, babble or eye contact they previously had. Persistent parent concern is always worth checking.","q":"When should I be concerned about nonverbal communication?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication","title":"At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?","entity":{"key":"nonverbal-communication","kind":"skill","name":"nonverbal communication","slug":"nonverbal-communication"},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent / Family","value":"parent"},{"kind":"age","label":"Toddler","value":"toddler"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Milestone","value":"milestone"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"},{"kind":"ability","label":"Non-Verbal","value":"non-verbal"},{"kind":"assessment","label":"Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd ed.","value":"cars2"},{"kind":"language","label":"English","value":"en"},{"kind":"sdg","label":"SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being","value":"3"},{"kind":"skill","label":"nonverbal communication","value":"nonverbal-communication"},{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"ASHA / PHC / Frontline","value":"asha_phc"},{"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":"is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication","title":"Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication","title":"When should a child develop non-verbal 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":"is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal","title":"Is it normal that my toddler is not yet showing non-verbal communication?"}],"summary":"Nonverbal communication develops across the toddler years (12–36 months). Most children point to share, wave and respond to their name by around 12–15 months, and pair gestures with words by 18–24 months. These gestures are the foundation of spoken language; if gesture or eye contact seems limited by 18 months, a gentle developmental screen helps.","answer_md":"*Long before first words arrive, your toddler is already 'talking' — with eyes, hands, and that delighted point at a passing dog.*\n\n## In short\nNonverbal communication — eye contact, smiling back, pointing, showing, waving and gesturing — develops steadily across the toddler years (roughly 12–36 months). Most children point to share interest and wave by around 12–15 months, and combine gestures with early words by 18–24 months. These [nonverbal communication](/nonverbal-communication) skills are the foundation that spoken language is built upon.\n\n## What to expect, month by month\n**Around 9–12 months** — responds to their name, follows your gaze, reaches up to be lifted, and begins pointing or showing you objects.\n\n**12–18 months** — points to ask and to share (\"look at that!\"), waves bye-bye, shakes head for \"no\", and brings things to show you.\n\n**18–24 months** — uses several gestures together, nods, blows kisses, and pairs gestures with single words.\n\n**24–36 months** — gestures fade as words take over, but facial expression and eye contact stay rich and responsive.\n\n## The science\nGesture and gaze are how a child learns that communication is a two-way game. Shared attention — pointing and looking together at the same thing — reliably predicts later vocabulary growth. This is why early childhood frameworks watch gesture as closely as speech: a child who points, shows and shares before words is laying down strong language scaffolding.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an online read. If gesture and eye contact seem limited by 18 months, a gentle [developmental screen](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) guidance can help early, when it matters most.\n\n## Trusted sources\nAligned with CDC developmental milestones, the American Academy of Pediatrics and ASHA guidance on early communication and gesture.\n\n**Next step —** if you're unsure whether your toddler's gestures are on track, 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-nonverbal-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-nonverbal-communication","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"skills","label":"Skills"}],"meta_title":"Nonverbal Communication: Toddler Milestone Ages","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Pause and follow your child's point — look where they look, name it, and look back at them with a smile. This 'gaze and respond' loop builds the back-and-forth that words grow from.","published_at":"2026-06-10T14:10:00.215102+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication","title":"Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"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-non-verbal-communication","title":"When should a child develop non-verbal communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication","title":"Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal","title":"What does it mean if my 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topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-nonverbal-communication","title":"What is one Everyday Therapy activity for nonverbal communication?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-during-everyday-routines","title":"Helping Your Child Practise Nonverbal Communication at Home","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":3}],"what_to_watch":"By 12 months: pointing, showing or waving. By 18 months: several gestures plus eye contact. Seek a screen if gestures are largely absent by 18 months, or if your child stops using gestures or eye contact they once had.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/browse11","code":"d3","label":"ICF d3"},{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC: Developmental Milestones"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationmilestones/","label":"ASHA: Communication Milestones"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"AAP HealthyChildren: Early Communication"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T14:10:00.215102+00:00","meta_description":"When do toddlers point, wave and gesture? A warm milestone guide to nonverbal communication from 12–36 months, with what to watch and when to screen.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}