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When to worry about a child not pointing to show things
Most children begin pointing to share things between 12 and 18 months, and it's usually established by 18 months. Seek a developmental check if your child is around 16–18 months and still not pointing to share interest, especially alongside few words, little eye contact, not responding to their name, or not following your point. This is a reason to assess early — not a diagnosis — because early support works best.
In this answer 5 sections
Pointing to share a discovery — "look at that!" — is one of the loveliest signs a child wants to connect with you, and noticing it is wonderful parenting.
In short
Most children begin pointing to show or share things (not just to ask for them) between 12 and 18 months, and it's usually well established by 18 months. The gentle line for a developmental check is when your child is around 16–18 months and still not pointing to share interest — especially if this comes alongside few words, little eye contact, not responding to their name, or not following your point. This isn't a diagnosis; it simply means a clinician's calm look is wise now, because early support works beautifully at this age.
What to watch by 12–24 months
There are two kinds of pointing, and the one that matters most for social communication is sharing — pointing at a bird or a dog and then looking back at you to check you saw it too. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include:
- By ~16–18 months — not yet pointing to show or share interest in things around them.
- Not following your point — when you point and say "look!", your child doesn't turn to see what you mean.
- Few gestures overall — not waving, clapping, showing or reaching up to be picked up.
- Travelling with other differences — few or no words, limited eye contact, not responding to their name, little shared smiling, or loss of a skill once had.
Many children who are simply taking their own pace catch up quickly — but pointing to share is such a useful window into communication that it's always worth a calm review rather than waiting.
When to act
If your child is 18 months and not pointing to share, or you notice pointing missing alongside any of the signs above, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Trust your instinct — what you see in everyday play is valuable clinical information.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. With 25 million+ therapy sessions and 4.95 lakh+ families served, our clinicians build their own warm picture of how your child gestures, plays and connects. Our speech therapy team helps grow gestures and shared attention through play, and you can learn more about us at Pinnacle Blooms Network.
Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs, Act Early" developmental milestones (pointing to show by around 18 months); American Academy of Pediatrics guidance via healthychildren.org on gestures and social communication; ASHA resources on early communication development.
Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your child's gestures and milestones.
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
Seek a check if your child is around 18 months and not pointing to show or share interest, doesn't follow your point, uses few gestures (waving, clapping, showing), or has these alongside few words, little eye contact, no response to name, or loss of a skill.
In everyday life
Try pointing yourself during play and reading — "look, a dog!" — and pause to look back at your child. Modelling shared pointing every day, with warmth and no pressure, gently invites them to join in.
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 pointing to show things?
Most children begin pointing to share or show interest in things between 12 and 18 months, and it's usually well established by around 18 months. Pointing to share — looking back at you to check you saw it too — is a lovely early sign of social communication.
What's the difference between pointing to ask and pointing to share?
Pointing to ask means reaching or gesturing for something a child wants. Pointing to share means showing you something interesting just to connect — like a bird or a dog — and then glancing back at you. The sharing kind is the one that matters most for social communication.
My child doesn't point but uses other gestures — should I worry?
Gestures like waving, clapping, showing and reaching up are all encouraging signs of communication. If your child uses several gestures and is connecting with you, that's reassuring. If pointing is missing at 18 months alongside few words or limited eye contact, a calm developmental check is wise.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC Learn the Signs, Act Early — developmental milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP healthychildren.org — gestures and social communication
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — early 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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