Not Pointing To Show Things
Helping a Young Child Who Isn't Pointing to Show Things
Pointing to share (joint attention) usually emerges by 9–15 months, so for a 12–24 month old you can encourage it daily — model big clear points, get face-to-face, follow your child's gaze and reward every attempt to share. If pointing, showing and following a point are still rare by around 15–18 months, a gentle developmental check (with a hearing check) is sensible — not alarming.
When a little one points to share a discovery — a bird, a balloon, a biscuit — they are saying look with me. Helping that pointing bloom is one of the most joyful things you can do at home.
In short
Pointing to show things (called joint attention) usually emerges between 9 and 15 months, so for a child aged 12–24 months it is worth gently encouraging through play, naming and shared excitement. You can build it every day by getting face-to-face, exaggerating your own pointing, following your child's gaze, and rewarding any attempt to share. If a child is well past 15–18 months with little pointing, showing or following a point, that is worth a friendly developmental check — not a cause for alarm.Simple ways to help at home
Make pointing irresistible to copy- Point clearly and slowly to interesting things — "Look, a dog!" — then look back at your child with delight. Children copy what they see modelled often.
- Sit or kneel face-to-face and at eye level, so your child can see your face and what you point to.
Create reasons to share
- Put a favourite toy slightly out of reach or in a clear tub so your child must request it — pause, look expectant, and accept any gesture (reaching, looking, an open hand) as a first step toward pointing.
- Read picture books and tap-point at one picture per page: "Where's the cat? There!"
Follow your child's lead
- When your child looks at or reaches for something, look there too, name it warmly, and react with shared joy. Following their interest teaches that sharing attention is rewarding.
- Use bubbles, windmills, peek-a-boo and lift-the-flap books — surprise naturally pulls eyes and gestures together.
Reward every attempt
- Respond instantly and happily to reaching, eye contact or a noise — these are the building blocks of pointing. Hand-over-hand help to point, then fade your help as your child takes over.
When a check makes sense
Gesture, babble and shared looking are early communication milestones. If by around 15–18 months your child rarely points, shows, or follows your point, and especially if babble or response to name also seems limited, a gentle developmental check is the sensible next step — alongside a routine hearing check, since hearing affects communication. This is monitoring and support, not a diagnosis.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 app, a checklist or a single observation at home. Our team can profile your child's communication strengths across domains and, where helpful, shape playful goals through speech therapy so progress is measured against your own child's baseline. Explore more support at [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).Trusted sources
Guidance here is aligned with the CDC's developmental-milestone resources, the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren guidance on early communication, and ASHA's parent resources on gestures and joint attention.Next step — try one of these games today, and if you'd like a friendly developmental check, message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to arrange a screen.
What to watch
Watch for warm signs of shared attention emerging: reaching while looking at you, following your point, bringing or showing objects, and babble with eye contact. Seek a developmental check if by around 15–18 months pointing, showing and following a point remain rare, especially alongside limited babble or weak response to name.
Try this at home
Each day, point clearly at one exciting thing — "Look, a bird!" — then look back at your child with big delight. Children learn pointing by seeing it modelled often and joyfully.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
At what age should a child start pointing to show things?
Pointing to share interest (joint attention) usually appears between about 9 and 15 months. Many children are still developing this skill through their second year, so for a 12–24 month old it is well worth encouraging gently rather than worrying.
My child reaches but doesn't point — is that okay?
Reaching while looking at you is a wonderful early building block of pointing. Respond instantly and warmly, name what they want, and you can gently help shape a point with hand-over-hand support, then fade your help as they take over.
When should I seek a developmental check about pointing?
If by around 15–18 months your child rarely points, shows or follows your point — especially alongside limited babble or weak response to name — a friendly developmental check and a routine hearing check are sensible. This is monitoring and support, not a diagnosis.