When Do Babies Start Pointing to Things?

4 min read

Written by Sindhuja Prabhu

Sindhuja Prabhu

M.Sc (Psychology),PGDBM

Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.

When Do Babies Start Pointing to Things?

We are all born with a pointing device – our fingers. Have you ever wondered when we started using it or how we learned to use it? When do babies start pointing to things? When do they learn to communicate this way? Even after your baby learns to point, it can be quite confusing to understand what they are actually pointing to and what they mean by it.

Pointing to something is a natural mode of communication we are all very familiar with. It is more effective than trying to explain in words. For babies though, it may take time to reach this level of communication. They first learn to point, then learn a few words, and only then can they point and communicate effectively.

In This Article

When Do Babies Start Pointing to Things?
Top 3 Signs That Indicate a Baby is Ready to Point
How and When to Encourage Pointing in Babies
What if Your Baby Doesn’t Point?
What Comes After Pointing?
FAQ’s

When Do Babies Start Pointing to Things?

Babies can start pointing once they get good control over their hands and fingers. When their coordination improves, you will notice your baby pointing to things they want to draw your attention to. This can happen somewhere around 10 to 15 months of age.

Around the time your baby turns one year old, their hand-eye coordination improves, and they can fold their finger and open one finger with intention. So, when your baby wants to draw your attention to something they are looking at, they can move their hand in that direction and point to it.

Top 3 Signs That Indicate a Baby is Ready to Point

Signs That Indicate a Baby is Ready to Point

If you pay attention, you can notice a few telltale signs that your baby might start pointing very soon. Here are a few signs that indicate your baby is ready to start pointing and communicating:

1. Follow

Your baby will start following your point. If you point to something or in some direction, your baby will understand and turn around to see what you are pointing at. They learn to follow your finger and find what you are pointing to. Their brain starts associating and understanding the impact of pointing in communication. This is what your baby will try to replicate when they learn to point.

2. Fold

You can see your baby folding and opening out their fingers while playing. Babies can start doing this as early as 6 or 8 months but some babies may seem to practice this more as they get ready to start using it.

3. Turn

Before your baby can successfully point to something, they will start turning towards it to show you what they are referring to.

How and When to Encourage Pointing in Babies

When your baby starts pointing, it can be quite confusing at first. They may be pointing in all directions before they can point correctly. Be sure to respond every time they point. Help them to point in the right direction.

It can be frustrating to respond every time and not understand what they want to communicate but exercise patience. It is more frustrating for them when they are unable to successfully communicate what they want to.

You can use their fingers and point to things. For example, if you want to show them something on the road or in a book, use your baby’s finger to point. This will improve their hand-eye coordination.

[Read : Development Of Hand-eye Coordination In Babies]

What if Your Baby Doesn’t Point?

So, what happens if your baby is not pointing yet? Is it something you need to worry about?

If your baby does not start pointing even around 18 months of age, then you should consult your pediatrician. Just discuss it in your next appointment. Your doctor will check other aspects to determine if there is indeed something to worry about. Some babies just need more time to cross certain milestones.

What Comes After Pointing?

baby pointing to thing in a book

Once your baby starts pointing to things, they will start communicating better. They can now draw your attention with intent and show you what is holding their attention. Once your baby crosses this milestone, they can start

Communicating more effectively
Following commands to bring or keep something in a particular place
Engaging in conversations
Starting to pretend play
Learning new words and associating them with pictures (pointing to body parts, things in books, or around them)

Pointing is one of the first gestures we as humans develop in communication. If your baby does not start pointing as per expectations, do not fret. Just give them some time, teach them with patience, and engage them in active play that requires pointing.

[Read : When Will My Baby Speak Her First Word?]

FAQ’s

1. Is Pointing a Baby Milestone?

Yes, pointing is a communication milestone for babies. It shows they are ready to communicate about something specific. They learn to engage others in their communication.

2. Does Lack of Pointing Always Mean Autism in Babies?

Lack of pointing with the finger even after 18 months of age can indicate autism. However, it can be just a development delay, which can be improved with a little help and guidance. If there are other developmental delays, you need to check with your doctor regarding the same.

3. Can Babies Communicate Without Pointing?

Some babies can take more time to start pointing. Until they learn to point successfully, babies might just turn in that direction or use other gestures to communicate.