The Power of Pointing: A Small Gesture That Supports Big Language Growth

Pointing may not seem like a big deal, but learning to point can give your child a huge boost in communicating.

This powerful gesture gives your child a way to share ideas, ask questions, and learn new words.

Whether your child is just beginning to communicate or already speaking in sentences, pointing plays a big role in speech and language development.

When to Expect Pointing

Most babies start the gesture of an open-hand pointing around 12 months.

They use this to direct someone’s attention to something of interest.

Babies can also use this gesture as a request for something they want.

Sort of like, “There is a fluffy dog and I want to touch it.”

A young toddler pointing with an open hand to something in the distance.

A few months later, around 14 months, this gesture gets more refined and intentional.

Toddlers are now able to point with one finger. You may also hear this as isolating the index finger.

It’s not just the fine motor skills that develop, but also more intentional communication.

For example, “Hey mom, look at that cool airplane.”

A young child pointing to an airplane out the window of an airport.

How to Encourage Pointing at Home

Model:

Modeling pointing can be done almost any time.

Here are a few examples of modeling pointing during daily routines.

  • Point to their cup and ask, “Do you want milk?”

  • Direct their attention when someone comes in, “Hey, mom is home.”

  • Start taping pictures in books as you label them, “Look, a duck!”

A dad pointing to pictures in a book with his two young boys in his lap.

Helping to isolate their index finger:

Gather books and toys that encourage the use of one finger.

  • Read touch-and-feel books with small holes (the size of a hole punch). This helps them feel the tip of their finger as they point to the book.

  • Lift them up and have them help you turn on/off the light switch with one finger.

  • Blow bubbles and pop them together by pointing and saying “Pop!”

  • Have some messy fun by finger painting with paint, pudding, or yogurt. Model drawing lines and shapes to see if they’ll copy you.

The hand of a young child finger painting.

Ask for help

If you don’t see your child pointing by 15 months talk to your doctor about it.

They may recommend an evaluation to look at fine motor or communication skills.

If your child is already receiving services, consider asking about adding pointing as a therapy goal.

 
A black and white handout of a home plan of tips to practice pointing.

Handout from Home Plans for Speech Therapy. Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC), June 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-6mo.html

First Words Project, 2014, 16 Gestures by 16 Months. https://firstwordsproject.com/about-16by16

Illustration Credits: Kari Bolt

Parent EducationLia Kurtin