Not Pointing To Show Things
Responding when a young child doesn't point to show things
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. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
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
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a classroom observation, app or online form. A teacher's notes are wonderfully helpful context, and a clinician-administered AbilityScore® assessment turns them into a precise developmental picture. If shared attention and early gestures need support, our speech and language therapy 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.
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.
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.
Try this at home
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.
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 a child point to show things?
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.
What can a teacher do in the classroom to encourage pointing?
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.
Should a teacher tell parents if a child isn't pointing?
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.