4 min read · For babies aged 11–12 months
When do babies start pointing? Many babies begin experimenting with pointing and other intentional gestures towards the end of the first year, although the timing and form can vary considerably.
At eleven and twelve months, your baby may communicate by extending a hand, reaching, pointing with one finger, looking towards an object or combining a gesture with a sound.
Pointing is not only about identifying something correctly. It can help your baby ask for an object, request help or share an interesting moment with you before they can express the same message in words.
For a wider overview of this stage, read our guide to development, milestones and play at 11–12 months.
When do babies usually start pointing?
Some babies begin using recognisable pointing gestures around their first birthday. Others communicate through reaching, open-handed gestures, looking, vocalising or moving towards an object before clear index-finger pointing appears.
The gesture may also be inconsistent at first. Your baby might point during one familiar routine but use a whole-hand reach in another situation.
Development should be viewed as a pattern rather than a deadline. A single gesture does not need to appear on an exact day or in one specific form.
Why do babies point?
Pointing can serve several different purposes.
Pointing to ask for something
Your baby may point or reach towards a cup, toy, snack or person they want.
The gesture may be combined with:
- looking at the object;
- looking towards you;
- leaning or moving closer;
- opening and closing the hand;
- vocalising;
- becoming frustrated if the message is not understood.
Pointing to share interest
Your baby may notice a dog, light, bird or unfamiliar sound and gesture towards it simply because they want you to notice it too.
This type of pointing is not always a request for the object. It may mean:
“Look at that.”
The shared moment becomes especially clear when your baby looks between the interesting object and your face.
Pointing to ask for help
Your baby may gesture towards an object that is stuck, out of reach or difficult to operate.
They may look at the object, then at you, and make a sound. This can be an early way of communicating:
“I need help with this.”
Grab & Grow Kit | 7–12 months
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Pointing as early communication
Before spoken language becomes clear, babies use their bodies to communicate.
Your baby may use:
- pointing;
- reaching;
- waving;
- offering an object;
- pushing something away;
- lifting the arms to be picked up;
- looking towards a person or object;
- babbling or changing the tone of their voice.
These signals often work together. Your baby may reach towards a card, look at you and vocalise within the same interaction.
Responding to this combination helps your baby experience communication as meaningful and shared.
Looking between an object and a parent
Your baby may look at an interesting object and then back at your face.
This back-and-forth look can show that your baby is connecting your attention with their own. You are both focusing on the same object or event.
You can respond simply:
“You see the rabbit.”
“The light is on.”
“You found the ball.”
There is no need to add a long explanation. Name what has captured your baby’s attention and pause for their response.
How should you respond when your baby points?
First, follow the direction of the gesture or gaze.
Then:
- name the object simply;
- acknowledge what your baby may want;
- respond to their expression or sound;
- bring the object closer when appropriate;
- offer help if the object is difficult to reach or use;
- pause and allow your baby to respond again.
For example:
“You are pointing to the cup. You want a drink.”
“You see the dog. The dog is running.”
“You are showing me the card.”
The exact interpretation may not always be correct. What matters is that your baby’s attempt receives a calm and relevant response.
If your baby often looks towards you when an object is difficult to reach or use, our guide to simple problem-solving play at 11–12 months explains how to offer help without taking over the activity.
Why you do not need to say “Show me”
Parents may naturally want to check whether their baby can point to a familiar object:
“Show me the dog.”
“Where is your nose?”
Occasional questions can be playful, but repeated testing may change a shared activity into a performance.
Your baby may understand a word without responding on request. They may also be tired, distracted, interested in another object or not yet able to organise the pointing movement.
Instead of repeatedly asking for a correct answer, comment on what your baby notices:
“That is the dog.”
“You touched your nose.”
“The rabbit has long ears.”
How to encourage pointing without testing
You can model gestures naturally during everyday routines.
Try:
- pointing towards a bird outside;
- showing where a familiar person entered the room;
- pointing to a picture while naming it;
- touching your own nose during a body-parts song;
- holding two familiar objects and allowing your baby to choose;
- following your baby’s gaze instead of redirecting it.
Model the gesture once and continue the interaction. There is no need to move your baby’s hand into a pointing position.
Looking at books and picture cards together
Books and picture cards create simple opportunities for shared attention.
Choose one clear image and hold it where both you and your baby can see it.
With the Animal Discovery Cards, you might say:
“Rabbit.”
“The rabbit has long ears.”
Pause and watch whether your baby looks at the image, touches it, reaches, points, vocalises or looks back towards you.
You do not need to present several cards or ask your baby to choose the correct animal.
If your baby enjoys looking between two familiar animals, try our simple “Find the Animal” activity for babies aged 11–12 months.
Naming familiar objects
Use short, natural language during everyday routines.
Name:
- objects your baby is already looking at;
- people entering the room;
- familiar foods and cups;
- clothing during dressing;
- animals in books or outdoors;
- objects your baby offers to you.
Repeating familiar words in meaningful situations is more useful than asking your baby to identify many items in a row.
Pointing to body parts
Body-part play can begin through songs, dressing, bathing and face-to-face interaction.
You can touch and name your own body parts:
“My nose.”
“Your hands.”
“Here are your feet.”
The Printable Hello Body Cards can provide simple visual prompts for naming familiar parts of the body.
Show one card at a time, name the body part and connect it with your baby’s real body:
“Hand. Here is your hand.”
Your baby does not need to point to the correct body part. Looking, touching, smiling, moving or vocalising can all be part of the interaction.
Individual differences in pointing
Some babies begin pointing with one finger, while others first use reaching, open-handed gestures or changes in gaze.
The timing may also be influenced by:
- current movement abilities;
- interest in people and objects;
- opportunities for face-to-face interaction;
- temperament;
- hearing or vision;
- whether the baby was born prematurely.
Look at your baby’s wider communication pattern rather than one isolated gesture.
Notice whether your baby:
- looks towards familiar people;
- responds to sounds and voices;
- uses gestures, reaching or sounds to communicate;
- shows interest in shared interaction;
- looks between you and an object;
- responds to familiar words or routines.
The Owloo Grab & Grow Play Kit for 7–12 Months includes the Animal Discovery Cards alongside play experiences for movement, coordination, early problem-solving and shared attention.
When should you mention concerns to a paediatrician?
Pointing may still be emerging around the first birthday. Not using one clear pointing gesture at exactly twelve months does not provide a diagnosis.
Speak with your baby’s paediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional if:
- your baby has lost gestures or communication skills they previously used;
- they rarely respond to sounds or familiar voices;
- they rarely look towards people or share attention;
- they do not use gestures, reaching, sounds or looks to communicate;
- you have concerns about hearing or vision;
- pointing and other intentional gestures are not emerging over the following months;
- anything about your baby’s communication concerns you.
It is always appropriate to raise a concern. Your healthcare professional can consider pointing together with your baby’s hearing, vision, gestures, sounds, understanding and overall development.
As your baby approaches their first birthday, you may also enjoy our guide to development, play and meaningful first birthday celebration ideas.
You can also explore all Owloo development guides and play ideas for babies aged 11–12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Should my baby be pointing by 12 months?
Some babies begin pointing around their first birthday, while others first communicate through reaching, looking, sounds or whole-hand gestures. Pointing may emerge gradually over the following months.
What is the difference between reaching and pointing?
Reaching often involves extending the whole hand towards an object, while pointing may use one extended finger. Both can communicate interest, a request or a desire for help.
How can I encourage my baby to point?
Point naturally towards interesting objects, name what your baby is already looking at and share books or picture cards. Avoid repeatedly asking your baby to perform the gesture.
Should I ask my baby to point to pictures?
You may occasionally ask during relaxed play, but there is no need to test your baby repeatedly. Naming the picture and following your baby’s interest can create a more responsive interaction.
What if my baby points but is not saying words?
Gestures often support communication before spoken words become clear. Continue responding to pointing, sounds and eye contact. Speak with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about hearing, language or overall communication.
The Owloo approach
Pointing is one part of a wider communication system that includes looks, gestures, sounds, expressions and shared attention.
Notice your baby’s message, follow their focus and respond without requiring a correct answer.
Follow the gesture. Name what they noticed. Pause for their response.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
Tina Krapez is the Co-founder and COO of Owloo, where she helps create thoughtful play solutions and educational resources that support parents through their baby’s early development. Her work focuses on turning developmental knowledge into simple, practical guidance families can use in everyday play.
Sources and further reading
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Milestones by 1 Year
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Milestones by 15 Months
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Language Development: 8 to 12 Months
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Developmental Milestones: 12 Months
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child — Serve and Return
