# How should a teacher respond to not pointing to show things in a young child?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

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.

*When a little one doesn't yet point to share a moment, a teacher's warm, watchful response can open a doorway to connection.*

## In short
If 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.

## What a teacher can do
- **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.
- **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.
- **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.
- **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.
- **Celebrate any attempt** — reaching, looking between you and an object, vocalising — these are all stepping stones to pointing. Respond warmly to every one.
- **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.

## When to share a gentle word with parents
If, 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.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® 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.

## Trusted sources
CDC "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.

**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).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- CDC: Learn the Signs. Act Early. — milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: toddler development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/default.aspx
- ASHA: early communication development: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Behaviours: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/behaviours
- Teacher: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/teacher
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Should I worry about not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old
- Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be an Early Sign of a Developmental Concern?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-an-early-sign-of-a-developmental-concern
- Should a frontline worker refer a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-a-frontline-worker-refer-a-child-showing-not-pointing-to-show-things
- Absent Pointing to Show: A Clinician's Signs Guide: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-developmental-conditions-can-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child-point-to
- When should a doctor investigate not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-a-doctor-investigate-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child
- When should I worry about not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child

### Explore causes & influences
- What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children
- Why a 1-Year-Old May Not Point to Show Things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old

### Explore therapy & support
- How can a teacher support a 1-year-old who isn't pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-1-year-old-who-shows-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-class
- How should a frontline worker respond to a child not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-frontline-worker-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child
- What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things
- Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things
- Can Not Pointing To Show Things Be a Sign of Autism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-not-pointing-to-show-things-be-a-sign-of-autism
- How therapy addresses a child not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-therapy-address-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-child
- Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development
- What makes not pointing to show things worse in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-makes-not-pointing-to-show-things-worse-in-a-child
- What other behaviours often occur with Not Pointing To Show Things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-other-behaviours-often-occur-with-not-pointing-to-show-things
- Therapy techniques for not pointing to show things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-techniques-help-a-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things

### At home & in everyday life
- How to Help a Young Child Who Isn't Pointing to Show Things: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-a-young-child-with-not-pointing-to-show-things
- How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old