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Working on Pointing and Gesture with Your Child at Home
Pointing, showing and waving are the foundations of speech. Build them at home by holding items just out of reach, pointing to share interest, playing wave and clap games, and responding warmly to every gesture as if it were a word. Short daily moments beat long sessions.
In this answer 5 sections
Long before a first word, a child reaches, points and waves — and every one of those gestures is a sentence waiting to be spoken.
In short
Gestures like pointing, showing and waving are the foundations of speech — they teach your child that communication gets a response. You can build them at home by pausing for your child to ask, holding things just out of reach, and joyfully responding to every gesture as if it were a word. Little daily moments matter far more than long sessions.
Everyday activities that build pointing and gesture
Make pointing useful
- Hold a favourite toy or snack slightly out of reach and wait — give your child a reason to point or reach, then reward instantly.
- Point to interesting things together ("Look — a dog!") so your child learns to follow your point, then to share their own.
- Put a desired item in a clear jar with a tight lid so they bring it to you and gesture for help.
Build the social back-and-forth
- Wave "bye-bye" at every departure and "hello" at every arrival — these are easy, repeatable gestures.
- Play clapping, blowing kisses, "so big!" and peek-a-boo to pair gesture with delight.
- Offer choices you hold up in each hand ("banana or biscuit?") so a point becomes a decision.
Respond like every gesture counts
- When your child points, name it warmly: "You want the ball! Here's the ball." This shows gesture leads to language.
- Pause and look expectant — your waiting invites them to communicate. Resist doing everything for them.
When to check in
Gestures usually bloom between 9 and 16 months. If your child is not pointing, showing or waving by around 12 months, or seems not to share interest with you, it is worth a gentle developmental check — not a cause for alarm, but a good time to ask. Pair this with speech therapy input if a clinician advises it.
The Pinnacle way
Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. under qualified clinician care — home activities support, but never replace, that assessment. Our AbilityScore® gives a structured, clinician-administered picture of where your child is across communication and play, so support is matched to their strengths. With 4.95 lakh+ families served across 70+ centres, we partner with you between visits.
Trusted sources
Guided by the CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone framework, the American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org), and ASHA guidance on early gestures and pre-verbal communication.
Next step — message our team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to book a developmental check and learn play-based ways to grow your child's gestures.
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
If your child isn't pointing, showing or waving by around 12 months, or doesn't share interest with you, book a gentle developmental check — early support is hopeful, not alarming.
In everyday life
Hold a favourite toy just out of reach and wait with an expectant smile — give your child a real reason to point, then respond instantly so they learn gesture works.
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 start pointing?
Most children begin pointing and showing things to share interest between about 9 and 16 months. If pointing, showing or waving hasn't appeared by around 12 months, it's a good time for a gentle developmental check — not a reason to panic.
My child reaches for things but doesn't point. Does that matter?
Reaching to grab is a great start. The next step is pointing to share or request. Encourage it by holding items out of reach and waiting, and by pointing to interesting things together so your child learns to follow and copy you.
How long should I practise these activities each day?
Short, frequent moments woven into daily routines — meals, dressing, play, goodbyes — work far better than long formal sessions. Aim for many tiny opportunities rather than one big effort.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org
- Organisation website · further readingASHA early communication guidance
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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