# My child doesn't show me things they like — should I be worried? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-doesn-t-show-me-things-they-like-should-i-be-worried Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited "Showing" things you like is one sign of joint attention, usually emerging between about 9 and 18 months — but on its own it rarely tells the whole story. What matters most is the wider pattern of warm connection: eye contact, responding to their name, sharing for joy, and gestures. A check is wise when several social-communication signs are missing together. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. *When your little one doesn't run over to show you their favourite toy, it can feel puzzling — but this single behaviour, on its own, rarely tells the whole story.* ## In short "Showing" — when a child holds up a toy or points to a plane just to share their delight with you — is one lovely sign of social connection, and it usually blossoms between about 9 and 18 months. If your child doesn't do this yet, it is not automatically a cause for worry; many children share interest in their own way, and timing varies. What matters most is the **bigger picture** — does your child seek you out, make warm eye contact, respond to their name, and enjoy back-and-forth play? When several social-communication signs are absent together, a gentle developmental check is the wise, reassuring next step. ## What "showing" really tells us "Showing things you like" is a form of **joint attention** — the moment a child wants to share an experience with you, not just to get something they need. It is one thread in a wider weave of early social communication. Rather than focusing on this one behaviour alone, watch the whole pattern: - **Sharing for joy, not just need** — does your child ever bring you a toy, point at something interesting, or look back at you to check you've noticed? - **Connection cues** — warm eye contact, smiling back, responding to their name, enjoying peekaboo or to-and-fro games. - **Following your lead** — looking where you point or turning towards what you're looking at. - **Gestures** — waving, reaching up to be lifted, clapping, or pointing to request. A child who connects warmly in several of these ways — but simply hasn't started "showing" yet — is often just moving at their own pace. It's when **clusters** of these signs are missing, or seem to fade, that a check becomes worthwhile. ## When to seek a check Consider a developmental check if, alongside not showing or sharing interests, you notice **several** of: little eye contact, not responding to their name by around 12 months, no pointing or waving by around 12–15 months, no single words by 16 months, or loss of skills your child once had. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, a check brings clarity and peace of mind, and early support is always gentle and strengths-based. ## The Pinnacle way AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app, checklist or online form. Our clinicians build a precise, strengths-based profile through a [structured clinician assessment](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), and where helpful, support for joint attention and connection is woven into [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) and play-based sessions. You can also explore more about early [child development](/) and how we walk beside families. ## Trusted sources American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance on early social milestones (HealthyChildren.org); CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestones; ASHA guidance on early social communication and joint attention. **Next step —** Want clarity and reassurance about your child's social connection? [Book a developmental assessment 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 - AAP HealthyChildren.org — early social milestones: https://www.healthychildren.org - CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early. — developmental milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development - ASHA — early social communication and joint attention: https://www.asha.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social - Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Recognise signs & concerns - When should I worry about my child's social development?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-about-my-child-s-social-development - 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 ### Explore therapy & support - What does it mean if my child doesn't show me things they like?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-show-me-things-they-like - What should I do if my child doesn't show me things they like?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-show-me-things-they-like - 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