{"h1":"Responding when a young child doesn't point to show things","faq":[{"a":"Pointing to share or show something — not just to ask for it — typically emerges between about 12 and 18 months. By around 18–24 months most children point to direct your attention to something interesting. Every child develops at their own pace, so a single missed marker isn't a diagnosis, but it's worth watching and supporting.","q":"At what age should a child point to show things?"},{"a":"Model pointing often and joyfully, name what you point to, follow the child's gaze and join in with delight, and set up natural \"show me\" moments with interesting or slightly out-of-reach objects. Celebrate any attempt to share attention, including looking between you and an object.","q":"What can a teacher do in the classroom to encourage pointing?"},{"a":"If by around 18–24 months a child still isn't pointing to show things, rarely follows a point, and shows little back-and-forth in looking and gesturing, a warm, non-alarming conversation with parents is helpful. Frame it as suggesting a general developmental check to be sure everything is on track — not as a diagnosis.","q":"Should a teacher tell parents if a child isn't pointing?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child","title":"How should a teacher respond to not pointing to show things in a young child?","entity":{"key":"no-pointing","kind":"phenomenon","name":"Not Pointing To Show Things","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Teacher","value":"teacher"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Support","value":"support"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"behaviours","label":"Behaviours"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-1-year-old-who-shows-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-class","title":"How can a teacher support a 1-year-old who isn't pointing to show things?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children","title":"What causes not pointing to show things in young children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-frontline-worker-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child","title":"How should a frontline worker respond to a child not pointing to show things?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?"}],"summary":"A teacher should respond to a young child not pointing to show things by gently modelling pointing, building shared attention through play, celebrating every early gesture, and observing calmly over a few weeks. If pointing to share isn't emerging by 18–24 months, a warm word with parents and a developmental check is wise. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","answer_md":"*When a little one doesn't yet point to share a moment, a teacher's warm, watchful response can open a doorway to connection.*\n\n## In short\nIf a child between roughly **12 and 24 months** isn't yet pointing to show or share things — like spotting a bird and pointing to make sure *you* see it too — a teacher's best response is to **notice gently, build shared attention through play, and quietly observe over a few weeks** rather than assume anything. Pointing to share (not just to ask) is an early communication milestone, so it is worth supporting and tracking, and flagging warmly to parents if it isn't emerging. This is a phenomenon to watch, never a diagnosis.\n\n## What a teacher can do\n- **Model pointing yourself, often and joyfully** — point to interesting things and name them: \"Look! A red bus!\" Children learn to share attention by watching adults do it.\n- **Follow the child's gaze and join in** — when they look at something, point to it, name it, and react with delight. This builds the *back-and-forth* of shared attention.\n- **Create \"show me\" moments** — place a favourite toy slightly out of reach, or put surprising things in view, so there's a natural reason to share excitement.\n- **Pair gestures with words and faces** — get down to the child's eye level, smile, and use big, clear gestures. Pointing grows alongside eye contact and shared smiles.\n- **Celebrate any attempt** — reaching, looking between you and an object, vocalising — these are all stepping stones to pointing. Respond warmly to every one.\n- **Keep simple notes** — jot down when and how the child shares attention over a few weeks. Calm observation gives parents and clinicians useful, real-world detail.\n\n## When to share a gentle word with parents\nIf, by around **18–24 months**, a child still isn't pointing to *show* or share things, rarely follows your point, and shows little back-and-forth in looking and gesturing, it's worth a warm, non-alarming conversation with parents — framed as \"let's get a developmental check, just to be sure everything's on track\". Every child develops at their own pace; the goal is early support, not worry.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from a classroom observation, app or online form. A teacher's notes are wonderfully helpful context, and a [clinician-administered AbilityScore® assessment](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) turns them into a precise developmental picture. If shared attention and early gestures need support, our [speech and language therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) builds these skills through play. Explore more about [early childhood development](/) and how to help every child connect.\n\n## Trusted sources\nCDC \"Learn the Signs. Act Early.\" milestones on gestures and shared attention; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on early communication; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidance on early social communication and gestures.\n\n**Next step —** Noticed a child who isn't yet pointing to share? Encourage the family to [book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child","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/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"behaviours","label":"Behaviours"}],"meta_title":"Child Not Pointing to Show: A Teacher's Guide","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Point and name interesting things out loud throughout the day — \"Look, a doggy!\" — with a big smile and eye contact. Children learn to share attention by watching you do it joyfully and often.","published_at":"2026-06-10T12:36:00.194892+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-an-early-sign-of-a-developmental-concern","title":"Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be an Early Sign of a Developmental Concern?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"should-a-frontline-worker-refer-a-child-showing-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"Should a frontline worker refer a child not pointing to show things?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-developmental-conditions-can-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child-point-to","title":"Absent Pointing to Show: A Clinician's Signs Guide","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-a-doctor-investigate-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child","title":"When should a doctor investigate not pointing to show things in a young child?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child","title":"When should I worry about not pointing to show things?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Recognise signs & concerns","total":6},{"key":"causes","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children","title":"What causes not pointing to show things in young children?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"Why a 1-Year-Old May Not Point to Show Things","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore causes & influences","total":2},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-a-teacher-support-a-1-year-old-who-shows-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-class","title":"How can a teacher support a 1-year-old who isn't pointing to show things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-should-a-frontline-worker-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child","title":"How should a frontline worker respond to a child not pointing to show things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-a-sign-of-autism","title":"Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be a Sign of Autism?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-therapy-address-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child","title":"How therapy addresses a child not pointing to show things","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development","title":"Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child","title":"What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-other-behaviours-often-occur-with-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"What other behaviours often occur with Not Pointing To Show Things?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-therapy-techniques-help-a-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"Therapy techniques for not pointing to show things","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":10},{"key":"home","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-i-help-a-young-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things","title":"How to Help a Young Child Who Isn't Pointing to Show Things","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":2}],"what_to_watch":"Watch whether the child points to share interest (not just to request), follows your point, and shows back-and-forth looking and gesturing. By 18–24 months, little pointing to show, rarely following a point, and limited shared attention is worth a gentle word with parents and a developmental check.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC: Learn the Signs. Act Early. — milestones"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx","label":"AAP HealthyChildren.org: toddler development"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/","label":"ASHA: early communication development"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T12:36:00.194892+00:00","meta_description":"How should a teacher respond when a 1–2 year old isn't pointing to show things? Gently model, build shared attention, observe, and route families to a chec","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}