How to Work on Pointing Gesture with Your Child at Home

A tiny finger reaching out to share "look at that!" is one of the biggest milestones in your child's communication journey — and you can nurture it right at home.

In short

Pointing usually develops between 9 and 14 months, first to ask for things, then to share interest. You can encourage it at home by placing favourite toys just out of reach, modelling pointing yourself, and warmly responding every time your child gestures. Make it playful, repeat often, and follow your child's lead — these everyday moments build the foundation for words.

Activities you can try at home

Put it just out of reach. Place a loved toy or snack on a shelf or across the table — close enough to want, far enough to need help. Pause, look expectantly, and the moment your child reaches, leans or points, respond instantly: "You want the ball! Here it is."

Model pointing everywhere. Point at pictures in books, at birds, buses, the moon, the dog. Say "Look!" with bright eyes. Children learn the gesture by seeing it used with joy, not by being told to do it.

Point-and-name books. Sit close, point to one picture per page, name it, and pause. Gently guide your child's hand to point too, then celebrate — "Yes, that's a cat!"

Choices with two hands. Hold up two snacks or two toys, one in each hand, spaced apart. Ask "This one or this one?" Reaching or pointing to choose is real communication — honour it immediately.

Follow their point. When your child points, always look where they're pointing and respond. This teaches that pointing works — that it makes you notice and reply. That is the heart of social communication.

When to check in

Pointing to share interest (not just to request) by around 14–16 months is an important milestone. If your child is not pointing, showing, or following your point by 16–18 months, it's worth a friendly developmental check — not as a worry, but to make sure the building blocks for language are all in place. Trust your instinct; early support is always gentle and empowering.

The Pinnacle way

A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from an online tip alone. Our team can show you how pointing and early gestures fit your child's wider communication picture, and our speech therapy programmes turn these home games into lasting skills. With 4.95 lakh+ families served across 70+ centres, we'll meet you exactly where your child is today.

Trusted sources

Guided by CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren resources on early communication, and ASHA's guidance on emerging gestures and language.

Next step — try one pointing game today, and book a free developmental conversation with a Pinnacle therapist on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to see how your child is blossoming.

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.