{"h1":"When should my child start pointing at things?","faq":[{"a":"Most children begin pointing between about 9 and 14 months — first reaching to request things they want around 9–12 months, then pointing to share and show interest by 12–14 months. By 15–18 months it's usually well established.","q":"At what age do babies start pointing?"},{"a":"Requesting (or imperative) pointing means 'I want that' and often appears first. Sharing (or declarative) pointing means 'Look at this with me!' — your child points and then looks back at your face to share the moment, which is an especially rich sign of social communication.","q":"What's the difference between requesting and sharing pointing?"},{"a":"It's worth a gentle developmental check — not cause for alarm. By around 15–18 months, if your child isn't pointing or using other gestures, doesn't follow your point, or rarely shares moments with you, a clinician can give you reassurance or early, play-based support.","q":"Should I worry if my child isn't pointing at 15 months?"},{"a":"By around 12 months, look for waving bye-bye, clapping, reaching up to be picked up, and showing or giving you objects. These gestures build together towards language and connection.","q":"What other gestures should appear around the same time?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-my-child-start-pointing-at-things","title":"When should my child start pointing at things?","entity":{"key":"e0bdea8fdbd2","kind":"colloquial","name":"Milestone timing","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Support","value":"support"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":null,"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child","title":"When should I worry about not pointing to show things?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development","title":"Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried","title":"My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?"}],"summary":"Most children begin pointing between about 9 and 14 months — first to request things they want, then to share and show interest, with sharing-pointing usually well established by 15–18 months. Pointing and other early gestures are lovely signs of growing communication. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","answer_md":"*That first little finger reaching out to show you the moon — pointing is one of the loveliest milestones, and a window into how your child connects and communicates.*\n\n## In short\nMost children begin **pointing between about 9 and 14 months** — first reaching to *request* things they want (around 9–12 months), then pointing to *share* and show you something interesting (around 12–14 months). By **15–18 months**, pointing to show and to share attention is usually well established. Pointing is a wonderful early sign of social communication, so it's worth gently watching — but children vary, and a little later than average is often perfectly fine.\n\n## How pointing develops\nThere are two kinds of pointing, and both matter:\n- **Requesting (imperative) pointing** — \"I want that.\" Often appears first, around 9–12 months, as your baby reaches or points towards a snack or toy out of reach.\n- **Sharing (declarative) pointing** — \"Look at that with me!\" Usually emerges by 12–14 months, when your child points at a dog or aeroplane and then looks back at you to share the moment. This *joint attention* — pointing, then checking your face — is an especially rich sign of growing communication.\n\nAlongside pointing, look for other early gestures by around 12 months: waving bye-bye, clapping, reaching up to be picked up, and showing or giving you objects. These all weave together into the foundations of language and connection.\n\n## When a gentle check helps\nEvery child grows at their own pace, but a developmental check is a kind, sensible step if by **around 15–18 months** your child:\n- isn't pointing or using other gestures to ask for or show things, or\n- doesn't follow your point when you say \"look!\", or\n- rarely looks back to share a moment with you, or\n- has lost gestures or words they once had.\n\nThis isn't cause for alarm — it's simply information. Early support, when it's needed, is gentle and play-based, and children often respond beautifully.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or checklist. If you'd like reassurance or a fuller picture, our team can map your child's [developmental profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and, where helpful, shape playful support through [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate). You can also begin from our [home page](/) to find your nearest centre across our 70+ locations.\n\n## Trusted sources\nCDC developmental-milestones guidance describes pointing and gesture use through the first and second years; the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) outlines social-communication milestones; WHO and ASHA describe joint attention and early gesture as foundations of language.\n\n**Next step —** Curious or simply want peace of mind? [Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-my-child-start-pointing-at-things","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-my-child-start-pointing-at-things","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[],"meta_title":"When Should My Child Start Pointing?","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Narrate and point throughout the day — 'Look, a dog!' — then pause and look back at your child to invite them to share the moment. Place a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage requesting gestures.","published_at":"2026-06-10T15:24:00.165577+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-i-worry-about-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-my-child","title":"When should I worry about not pointing to show things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"}],"label":"Recognise signs & concerns","total":1},{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things-should-i-be-worried","title":"My child doesn't point at things — should I be worried?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-does-it-mean-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What does it mean if my child doesn't point at things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-not-pointing-to-show-things-a-normal-part-of-child-development","title":"Is Not Pointing To Show Things Normal?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-should-i-do-if-my-child-doesn-t-point-at-things","title":"What should I do if my child doesn't point at things?","reason":"Linked from this answer"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":4},{"key":"home","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-do-i-handle-not-pointing-to-show-things-in-a-1-year-old","title":"How do I handle not pointing to show things in a 1-year-old?","reason":"Linked from this answer"}],"label":"At home & in everyday life","total":1}],"what_to_watch":"By around 15–18 months, watch for pointing to ask for and to show things, following your point when you say 'look!', and looking back to share a moment. A check helps if these gestures are absent or have been lost.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.cdc.gov/child-development","label":"CDC — Developmental milestones (gestures and pointing)"},{"url":"https://www.healthychildren.org","label":"AAP HealthyChildren.org — Early social communication"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org","label":"ASHA — Early gestures and joint attention"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T15:24:00.165577+00:00","meta_description":"Most babies begin pointing between 9 and 14 months — to request, then to share. A warm guide to pointing milestones and when a gentle check helps.","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}