Pinnacle Navratri 2026 Offer

₹25,999/-₹14,499/-

Only for the first 4,999 kids and families.

One full month of one service: Speech Therapy (ST), Occupational Therapy (OT), Behaviour Therapy (BT) or Special Education (SE).

The care team confirms eligibility, selected service, suitable centre, schedule and remaining availability before enrolment. Services are not bundled. This offer cannot be combined with other promotional discounts. The separate free speech and language assessment offer does not make ongoing therapy free.

Ends 25 October 2026 at 11:59 pm IST, or when the first 4,999 places are filled.

Enquire about the offerCall 9100 181 181Read full announcement

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Pinnacle Blooms Network
When do children develop non-verbal communication? — Pinnacle Ask answer card with a short explanation and QR link
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YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.

When do children develop non-verbal communication?

THE SHORT ANSWER

Non-verbal communication starts in the first months and builds steadily: eye contact and social smiles early on, pointing, waving and gaze-following by 9–12 months, and rich gesture-plus-expression by 18–24 months. By ages 3–7 children read emotions and use body language to support speech. Ranges are wide; persistent absence of pointing or shared looks across settings is worth a friendly developmental check.

Pinnacle Blooms NetworkPublished Content record updated
In this answer 5 sections
  1. In short
  2. How non-verbal communication usually unfolds
  3. The science
  4. The Pinnacle way
  5. Trusted sources

Long before the first word arrives, your child is already "talking" — with eyes, hands, smiles and pointing fingers.

In short

Non-verbal communication begins in the very early months and grows steadily through the toddler years. By around 9–12 months most children point, wave and follow your gaze; by 18–24 months they use a rich mix of gestures, facial expressions and shared looks. By ages 3–7 these skills become more sophisticated — reading others' feelings, taking turns and using body language to support speech.

How non-verbal communication usually unfolds

  • Birth–6 months — eye contact, social smiles, calming to a familiar voice
  • 6–9 months — following your gaze, reaching to be picked up, babbling with expression
  • 9–12 months — pointing, waving "bye", showing objects to share interest
  • 12–18 months — nodding, shaking head, leading you by the hand, clearer facial expressions
  • 18–24 months — combining gestures with words, simple pretend gestures
  • 3–7 years — reading others' emotions, using and responding to body language and tone

The science

Gestures and shared attention are the foundation on which spoken language is built — pointing to share interest around 9–12 months is one of the strongest early predictors of later talking. These skills sit within the ICF communication domain (d3). Ranges are wide and normal; persistent absence of pointing, gaze-sharing or gestures across settings is worth a friendly check.

The Pinnacle way

Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under the care of our qualified clinicians — never from an online read. Explore non-verbal communication, how we support early communication through speech therapy, and what the AbilityScore® is and how it is calculated.

Trusted sources

Aligned with WHO ICF communication framework (d3), CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and ASHA guidance on early gesture and social communication.

Next step — if your child isn't pointing, waving or sharing looks the way you'd expect, book a gentle developmental screen on WhatsApp: +91 91001 81181.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY

Something to notice. Something to discuss.

What to notice

Watch for no pointing or gaze-sharing by 12 months, no clear waving or showing of objects by 15–18 months, or any loss of gestures or eye contact already gained — these are worth a prompt developmental check.

In everyday life

Pause and follow your child's point or look — name what they're sharing ("Yes, the dog!"). This simple back-and-forth grows both gestures and words.

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 visit

Questions families ask

At what age should my child start pointing?

Most children begin pointing to share interest or to ask for things between about 9 and 12 months. If there's no pointing by around 15 months, it's worth a gentle developmental check — pointing is one of the strongest early signs that spoken language is on its way.

Is non-verbal communication a sign of how speech will develop?

Yes. Gestures, eye contact and shared attention are the foundation for talking. Children who gesture and share looks well usually go on to develop spoken language, which is why these skills are watched closely in the early years.

My child uses lots of gestures but few words. Is that okay?

Strong gestures are a good sign — they show your child wants to communicate. Many late-talkers catch up. If words are slow to come by age 2 alongside other concerns, a friendly speech and language check can reassure you and guide next steps.

FOLLOW THE SOURCE

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Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.

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Cite this answer

Pinnacle Blooms Network. “When do children develop non-verbal communication?”. Ask Pinnacle. Record updated 10 June 2026. https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-non-verbal-communication

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Your child’s self-sufficient, mainstream-included life is the purpose from the beginning. At Pinnacle, that purpose shapes what we understand, the goals we choose, the people we bring together, everyday practice and review.

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  2. 2
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  3. 3
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  4. 4
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  5. 5
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  7. 7
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General information supports a conversation with an appropriately qualified professional. Advice, goals and support depend on the individual child.