doesn't point at things
My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?
Pointing usually appears between 9 and 14 months and signals a child's wish to share and connect, the foundation of language. If a child is past their first birthday and not yet pointing, look at the whole communication picture — eye contact, name-response, babbling, gesturing — and arrange a friendly developmental check by 15–18 months. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
When your little one reaches, babbles and plays but hasn't started pointing yet, it's natural to wonder — and gentle attention now is exactly the right instinct.
In short
Pointing is one of the most important early communication milestones, and it usually appears between 9 and 14 months of age. Most children point to ask for things first, and then — a little later — point to share something interesting with you ("look at that!"). If your child is past their first birthday and isn't yet pointing, it's worth gently observing the bigger picture and arranging a developmental check — not to alarm you, but because early support is wonderfully effective when it's helpful at all.Why pointing matters
Pointing is a sign your child wants to connect and share attention — a foundation for language and social communication. There are two kinds, and both are worth watching for:- Pointing to request — reaching or pointing to get a biscuit, a toy, to be picked up.
- Pointing to share (joint attention) — pointing at a dog or aeroplane just to show you, then looking back at your face to share the moment. This sharing kind is especially meaningful.
Pointing rarely travels alone. Reassure yourself by looking at the whole communication picture: Does your child make eye contact and follow your gaze? Do they respond to their name? Do they babble, use gestures like waving or reaching up, bring you toys, or copy your actions? A warm, connected child who shows interest in people but is simply a little later to point is a very different picture from a child who shows several gaps together.
When to seek a check
Arrange a friendly developmental check if, by around 15–18 months, your child:- isn't pointing to share or to request,
- and shows little gaze-following, name-response, babbling or gesturing,
- or if you feel their communication has stalled or stepped backwards.
There's no need to wait and worry. A check at this age is simply good care — and very often it's reassuring.
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, never from an app or checklist. If a check is helpful, your child's communication is mapped through our clinician-led structured assessment, and any support is tailored through speech therapy. You can always start with a gentle look at where your child is on their journey at [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).Trusted sources
CDC milestone guidance notes pointing to show or request typically emerging around 12–18 months; the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) describes gestures and joint attention as key early communication signs; ASHA outlines how pointing and shared attention support language development.Next step — Past the first birthday and no pointing yet? Book a warm developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for reassurance and clarity.
What to watch
Watch whether, by around 15–18 months, your child points to share or request, follows your gaze, responds to their name, babbles, and uses gestures like waving or reaching up. A warm, connected child who is simply a little later to point is reassuring; several gaps appearing together, or communication that stalls or steps backwards, is worth a check.
Try this at home
Make pointing playful — point at things yourself and name them brightly ('Look, a dog!'), pause and look back at your child, and gently take their finger to point at a favourite picture. Children learn to point by watching us do it warmly and often.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
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.
Frequently asked
At what age should my child start pointing?
Most children begin pointing between 9 and 14 months — first to ask for things, then a little later to share something interesting with you. If your child is past their first birthday and not yet pointing, it's worth gently watching the wider communication picture and considering a developmental check by 15–18 months.
My child doesn't point but understands me well — is that okay?
Often, yes. Pointing rarely travels alone. A child who makes eye contact, follows your gaze, responds to their name, babbles and uses other gestures is showing strong communication, and may simply be a little later to point. A check is still reassuring if you have any doubt.
What's the difference between pointing to request and pointing to share?
Pointing to request means pointing or reaching to get something — a toy or a biscuit. Pointing to share (joint attention) means pointing at something just to show you, then looking back at your face. The sharing kind is an especially meaningful early social-communication milestone.
Can I help my child learn to point?
Yes — children learn to point by watching us. Point at things yourself, name them cheerfully, pause and look back at your child, and gently guide their finger to point at favourite pictures during play. Warm, frequent modelling helps a great deal.