# Nonverbal Communication Milestones in Toddlers

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

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.

*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](/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®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) gives a structured baseline, and explore how [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) 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.

## Sources
- ICF d3: https://icd.who.int/browse11
- CDC: Developmental Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/child-development
- AAP HealthyChildren: Early Communication: https://www.healthychildren.org
- ASHA: Communication Development: https://www.asha.org

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Skills: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/skills
- Parent / Family: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Milestone: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/milestone
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity
- Non-Verbal: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/ability/non-verbal
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd ed.: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/assessment/cars2
- English: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/language/en
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/sdg/3
- nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/skill/nonverbal-communication
- ASHA / PHC / Frontline: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/asha_phc
- Therapist / Clinician: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/therapist

## Related question paths

### Recognise signs & concerns
- At what age should a child use nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-nonverbal-communication
- When do children develop non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-do-children-usually-non-verbal-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
- Is It Normal My Toddler Isn't Yet Using Nonverbal Communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-it-normal-that-my-toddler-is-not-yet-showing-nonverbal-communication
- 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
- When should a child develop non-verbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-should-a-child-non-verbal-communication
- Nonverbal Communication as an Early Sign of Developmental Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/could-difficulty-with-nonverbal-communication-be-a-sign-of-a-developmental-delay
- What signs suggest my child may need support with nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-signs-suggest-my-child-may-need-support-with-nonverbal-communication
- If a child isn't yet showing nonverbal communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-what-should-i-do-if-a-child-in-my-care-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
- Observing Nonverbal Communication on a Home Visit: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/during-a-home-visit-what-should-a-frontline-worker-observe-about-a-child-learning-to-nonverbal-communication
- Nonverbal communication delay: when to escalate: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/if-a-child-cannot-nonverbal-communication-at-the-expected-age-when-should-a-frontline-health-worker-escalate

### Understand assessment
- What an amber zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-amber-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- What the green zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-green-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- What a red zone for nonverbal communication means: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-is-in-the-red-zone-for-nonverbal-communication-what-does-that-mean
- Assessing and tracking nonverbal communication progress: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-clinician-assess-and-track-a-child-s-progress-in-learning-to-nonverbal-communication

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

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I help my child learn nonverbal communication at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-help-my-child-with-learn-to-nonverbal-communication-at-home
- What is one Everyday Therapy activity for nonverbal communication?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-one-everyday-therapy-activity-to-help-my-child-with-nonverbal-communication
- Helping Your Child Practise Nonverbal Communication at Home: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-caregiver-how-can-i-gently-help-a-child-practise-learning-to-nonverbal-communication-during-everyday-routines