# Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Learning to point develops on its own timeline, and most children begin pointing to show or share things by around 12–16 months, often glancing back to check you've noticed. Not yet pointing isn't a cause for alarm, but if a child past 16–18 months rarely points, shows toys or shares attention, a gentle developmental check helps. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*When your little one points at the moon, a dog, a favourite biscuit — and looks back at you to share it — that small gesture is one of the biggest moments in early communication.*

## In short
Yes — learning to point develops on its own timeline, and not every baby points at the same age. Most children begin **pointing to show or share things they find interesting (called "declarative" pointing) by around 12–16 months**, usually looking back at you to check you've noticed. If your child is past 16–18 months and rarely points, waves, shows toys or shares attention, it's simply worth a gentle developmental check — not a cause for alarm. Pointing is one piece of a bigger picture of how a child connects and communicates.

## Why pointing matters
Pointing to *share* (not just to get something) is a lovely early sign of social communication — it shows your child wants to bring you into their world. Babies often point in two ways:
- **To request** — "I want that" (pointing at a snack out of reach).
- **To show or share** — "Look at that!" — glancing back at you to enjoy something together.

The second kind, with that to-and-fro eye contact, is the one clinicians especially love to see. Children vary, though: some show interest by leading you by the hand, bringing objects, vocalising or using their whole body before a clear point appears. So a child who isn't yet pointing may still be sharing in other ways.

## When a check helps
A gentle developmental review is sensible if, **by around 16–18 months**, your child:
- rarely or never points to show you things,
- doesn't follow your point or your gaze to look where you're looking,
- seldom brings or shows you toys, and
- isn't combining gestures with eye contact and sounds.

This isn't a diagnosis — it's an early, reassuring way to understand how your child communicates and whether a little extra support would help them flourish.

## The Pinnacle way
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed **only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care**. If you'd like clarity, our team can map your child's communication strengths and gently fill any gaps. Explore [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/), our [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) programme, and how a [clinician-led AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) builds a complete picture of your child.

## Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestone guidance notes pointing to show interest around 15–18 months; the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) describes gestures like pointing and waving as key early communication milestones; WHO developmental guidance frames gestures within the wider social-communication picture.

**Next step —** Curious about how your child shares and communicates? [Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate).

## Sources
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestone guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren.org — early communication milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org
- WHO — child development guidance: https://www.who.int

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Behaviours: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/behaviours
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Why does my child not point to show me things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/why-does-my-child-not-point-to-show-me-things
- 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
- 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

### Explore causes & influences
- 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
- What causes not pointing to show things in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-young-children

### Explore therapy & support
- My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried
- What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things
- When should my child start pointing at things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-my-child-start-pointing-at-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
- Do children usually outgrow not pointing to show things?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-children-usually-outgrow-not-pointing-to-show-things
- 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
- 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 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
- 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
- How should a teacher respond to not pointing to show things in a young child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-teacher-respond-to-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-young-child
- 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