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When do children usually develop nonverbal communication?
Most toddlers use nonverbal communication — pointing, waving, showing, shared gaze — well before full sentences. Expect pointing and waving around 12 months, showing and head-shaking by 18 months, and gesture-plus-word by 24 months. The back-and-forth of shared attention is the strongest early sign, and a gentle check is worthwhile if gestures don't grow by 12 months.
In this answer 5 sections
Long before the first word arrives, your toddler is already talking — with eyes, hands and tiny gestures.
In short
Most children use rich nonverbal communication — pointing, showing, waving and shared gaze — well before they speak in full sentences. Between 12 and 36 months you can expect a steady bloom of gestures: pointing to share interest, waving bye-bye, shaking the head for "no", and bringing objects to show you. These signals are the foundation of spoken language, not just a precursor.
The science
Nonverbal communication develops on a predictable arc:
- Around 12 months — pointing to ask for or share things, waving, reaching up to be held, and following your point.
- 15–18 months — showing and giving objects, nodding or shaking the head, and using several gestures together with sounds.
- 24 months — combining a gesture with a word (pointing at a cup and saying "milk").
- By 36 months — using facial expression, gesture and eye contact fluidly to take turns in "conversation".
What matters most is the back-and-forth — your child looking to you, then to a toy, then back to you. This shared attention is the strongest early sign of healthy communication, even when words are still few.
When to check in
If by 12 months there is little pointing, gesture or response to name, or gestures fade rather than grow, a gentle developmental check is worthwhile — for reassurance as much as anything.
The Pinnacle way
Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an online read. Learn how the AbilityScore® gives a structured baseline, and explore how speech therapy builds on a child's natural gestures to grow words.
Trusted sources
Aligned with CDC developmental milestone guidance, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and ASHA resources on early communication and gesture development.
Next step — if you're curious or unsure about your toddler's gestures, book a gentle developmental screen with the Pinnacle team 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 that gestures grow, not fade: little pointing, waving or response to name by 12 months, or loss of gestures at any age, warrants a gentle developmental check.
In everyday life
Pause and wait after you point or wave — give your toddler a few seconds to respond. Naming what they point to ("yes, dog!") turns their gesture into your shared word.
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 toddler start pointing?
Most children begin pointing to ask for or share things around 12 months, and follow your point at a similar age. If there is little or no pointing by 12 months, a gentle developmental check is worthwhile.
Is gesturing more important than talking at this age?
In toddlerhood, gesture and shared gaze are the foundation that words grow from. A child who points, shows and takes turns nonverbally is building exactly the skills spoken language needs.
My child uses few words but lots of gestures — should I worry?
Rich gestures with shared attention are a reassuring sign. Words often follow. If words are slow to arrive by 18–24 months, a developmental check can offer reassurance and early support if needed.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceICF d3
- Source referenceCDC: Developmental Milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren: Early Communication
- Organisation website · further readingASHA: Communication Development
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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