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What to do if your child doesn't show you things they like
If your child doesn't yet show you things they like, focus on warm, face-to-face play — follow their lead, respond with delight when they share, and create gentle reasons to look to you. Sharing interests (joint attention) usually grows between 9 and 18 months. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
When your little one doesn't turn to share the things that delight them, it's natural to wonder — and there is so much you can gently do.
In short
When a child rarely brings you a toy, points to something exciting, or looks back to check you're sharing the moment, this is one early social-communication signpost worth gently watching — not a diagnosis. Sharing interests (called joint attention) usually blossoms between 9 and 18 months, and it grows beautifully with warm, playful, responsive interaction. The most helpful thing you can do is play at your child's level, follow their lead, and notice patterns over a few weeks — then arrange a friendly developmental check if you stay unsure.
What this looks like and what helps
Sharing what we enjoy — holding up a biscuit to show you, pointing at a dog, glancing back to see your face light up — is how children connect before they have many words. If your child seems content to play alone and doesn't yet bring things to you, here is what genuinely helps:
- Get face to face, down at their level — sit on the floor, in front of them, so your smile and eyes are easy to find.
- Follow their lead — join whatever they're already enjoying rather than redirecting; comment warmly on it ("Wow, the red car!").
- Make sharing rewarding — when they do glance at you or hold something out, respond with big, happy delight, so the moment feels worth repeating.
- Create gentle reasons to share — offer a windy-up toy or bubbles and pause, so they look to you for "more".
- Name feelings and objects as you play, building the bridge between connection and language.
These are everyday, joyful things — never drills. Most children respond warmly when interaction is consistent and unhurried.
When to seek a check
Consider a friendly developmental check if, by around 18 months, your child rarely points to show interest, doesn't bring or show you objects, seldom makes eye contact during play, or doesn't share smiles back and forth — especially alongside few words or limited response to their name. Trust your instinct: a check is reassurance, not a label, and earlier support is always gentler.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or an online form. We begin with a warm, clinician-administered structured assessment to understand your child's whole profile, and where helpful, build social connection and communication through speech therapy. You're always welcome to start here and ask us anything.
Trusted sources
CDC “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestone guidance on showing and sharing interests; American Academy of Pediatrics family guidance (HealthyChildren.org) on social-communication development; ASHA resources on early joint attention and communication.
Next step — Noticing your child doesn't share their joys? Book a warm developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch over a few weeks for whether your child points to show interest, brings or holds up objects to share, makes eye contact during play, and shares smiles back and forth. Seek a friendly check if, by around 18 months, these are rarely present — especially alongside few words or limited response to their name.
In everyday life
Sit on the floor face to face during play and pause invitingly — offer bubbles or a wind-up toy and wait, so your child has a reason to look to you for 'more'. When they do glance or share, light up with delight; that joy makes sharing worth repeating.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
At what age should my child start showing me things they like?
Sharing interests — pointing, bringing toys, glancing back to check you're sharing the moment — usually develops between about 9 and 18 months. It grows naturally with warm, responsive, playful interaction, so there's no single switch but a gradual blossoming.
Does not showing me things mean my child has autism?
No — on its own it does not mean that. Reduced sharing of interest is one early social-communication signpost worth gently watching, but many children simply develop at their own pace. A friendly developmental check offers reassurance and clarity rather than a label.
How can I encourage my child to share things with me?
Play at their level, follow their lead, and respond with big, happy delight whenever they glance at you or hold something out. Create gentle reasons to share — like pausing during bubbles so they look to you for more — and keep it joyful, never drill-like.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. (developmental milestones)
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — social and communication development
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — early social communication and joint attention
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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