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Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?
Some children who are slow to point to show things do catch up on their own, particularly when every other area of communication is developing well. Because pointing to share is a key social milestone, it is best gently observed and checked early — around 18 months if still absent — rather than simply waited out. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
When a little one doesn't yet point to share a discovery, it's natural to wonder — will this simply sort itself out with time?
In short
Many children who are a little slow to point do catch up on their own, especially when pointing is the only thing that's behind and everything else — eye contact, smiles, babble, understanding — is coming along nicely. But pointing to show things (sharing a bird, a balloon, a favourite toy just for the joy of sharing) is such an important social-communication milestone that it's best observed gently and checked early rather than simply waited out. Pointing to show usually emerges around 12–18 months; if it's still absent towards 18 months, a quick developmental check is wise — not because something is wrong, but because early support helps most.
Will my child outgrow it?
It depends on what's behind it:
- Often outgrown — when a child is simply taking their own time, but is otherwise sharing attention with you: looking where you look, bringing you toys, babbling "to" you, enjoying back-and-forth play. Here, pointing tends to bloom a little later, all on its own.
- Worth a closer look — when not-pointing comes alongside other things, such as limited eye contact, not responding to their name, few gestures (no waving or reaching-up), or not following your point. This pattern is less likely to resolve by simply waiting, and benefits from early guidance.
The honest answer: pointing to share is one of the clearest early windows into how a child connects. Rather than guess whether your child will outgrow it, a brief check gives you a clear answer and peace of mind.
When to seek a check
A gentle developmental review is sensible if, by around 18 months, your child does not point to show you interesting things, doesn't follow your point, uses very few gestures, or rarely shares enjoyment by looking from a toy to you and back. Pair this with how their words, play and responsiveness are coming along — the whole picture matters more than any single skill.
The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care, never from an app or checklist. A clinician-led look at your child's communication and social milestones tells apart simply needing more time from needing a little support, and our warm speech therapy team can build playful sharing into everyday moments. Explore more on our home page to see how support is shaped around each child.
Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 and developmental guidance; CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone resources, which note pointing to show emerging in the second year; American Academy of Pediatrics guidance via HealthyChildren.org on early gesture and joint attention.
Next step — Want clarity instead of waiting and wondering? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch whether, by around 18 months, your child points to show you interesting things, follows your point, uses gestures like waving or reaching up, and looks from a toy back to you to share enjoyment.
In everyday life
Make sharing irresistible — point to a bird, a bus or a balloon yourself, gasp with delight and look back at your child, then pause and wait. Children learn to point by watching you point with joy.
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 my child point to show things?
Pointing to show — sharing something interesting just for the joy of it — usually emerges between 12 and 18 months. If it's still absent towards 18 months, a gentle developmental check is sensible, especially alongside how other skills are coming along.
My child points to ask for things but not to share. Is that a concern?
Pointing to request (wanting a biscuit) and pointing to show (sharing a bird in the sky) are slightly different. Sharing-pointing reflects social connection. If requesting is present but sharing isn't by around 18 months, it's worth a brief check — not a cause for alarm, but a good reason for reassurance.
Will speech therapy help if my child isn't pointing?
Yes — early, play-based speech and communication support gently builds joint attention and gesture, often weaving sharing into everyday moments. Early guidance tends to help most, and a clinician will shape it to your child's strengths.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP — HealthyChildren.org
- Organisation website · further readingWHO ICD-11
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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