# When do children develop non-verbal communication?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-non-verbal-communication
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

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.

*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](/non-verbal-communication), how we support early communication through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), and [what the AbilityScore® is and how it is calculated](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-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.

## Sources
- CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early. milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- ASHA — communication milestones: https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/communication-milestones/
- WHO ICF communication domain (d3): https://icd.who.int/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills
- Parent / Family: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/child
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Milestone: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/milestone
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity
- Communication Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/communication-skills
- Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/adir
- English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3
- SDG 4: Quality Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/4
- non verbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/non-verbal-communication
- ASHA / PHC / Frontline: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/asha_phc
- Teacher / Educator: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/teacher
- Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-nonverbal-communication
- When should a child develop non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication
- At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication
- What if my toddler isn't yet showing nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal communication milestones for teachers: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-nonverbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class
- What does it mean if my child is not yet showing nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal
- Non-Verbal Communication and Developmental Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-non-verbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay
- Is it normal that my child is not yet showing non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal-communication
- What does it mean if my child is not yet showing non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal-communication
- What signs suggest my child may need support with non verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-non-verbal-communication
- When a child isn't yet showing non-verbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-is-not-yet-showing-non-verbal-communication
- Non-verbal communication milestones and what a teacher should expect: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/by-what-age-is-a-child-usually-expected-to-non-verbal-communication-and-what-should-a-teacher-expect-in-class

### Understand assessment
- What does an amber zone for non-verbal communication mean?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- Green Zone for Non-Verbal Communication: What It Means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- What a Red Zone for Non-Verbal Communication Means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- How can a clinician assess and track a child's progress in learning non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-non-verbal-communication

### Explore therapy & support
- How can a teacher support a child working on non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-child-working-on-non-verbal-communication
- Therapy for Non-Verbal Communication in Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-therapy-helps-a-child-learn-to-non-verbal-communication
- Amber zone for non-verbal communication — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- Green Zone for Non-Verbal Communication — What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- Red zone for non-verbal communication — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-non-verbal-communication-what-should-we-do-next
- Techniques to develop a child's non-verbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-therapist-what-techniques-help-a-child-develop-the-ability-to-non-verbal-communication
- How can a teacher support a student learning non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-support-a-student-who-is-still-learning-to-non-verbal-communication
- Prioritising the amber-zone child for non-verbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-non-verbal-communication
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the green zone for non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-green-zone-for-non-verbal-communication
- How should a therapist prioritise a child in the red zone for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-should-a-therapist-prioritise-a-child-who-is-in-the-red-zone-for-non-verbal-communication

### At home & in everyday life
- How to help your child with non-verbal communication at home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-non-verbal-communication-at-home
- One Everyday Therapy Activity for Non-Verbal Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-non-verbal-communication
- How to gently help a child practise non-verbal communication daily: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-non-verbal-communication-during-everyday-routines