My Child Points but Doesn’t Make Sounds Is That Okay?

And oh yeah, you notice it all day…

A tiny finger pointing toward the fridge. A reach toward the bubbles. A serious little look that says, “That. I want that.”  

And yet… very little voice.

No babbling to go with it. No “ah!” or “mm!” No little sound that matches the big message.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s okay for your child to communicate mostly with gestures right now, you’re not alone. Seriously, a bunch of parents find themselves listening closely, hoping to hear more voices and quietly asking, “Shouldn’t we have more now?”

In most families, communicating with only gestures is a very normal stage of early communication. This can also be a sign that your child has already understood something important: communication is successful. They point, you answer. They pray, you help. They show something, you can share this moment. That’s significant progress—even if it’s a quiet one.

Why are gestures often more important than sounds?

Guess what? Gestures are powerful.  Like, They are immediate and clear, and often easier than coordinating breathing, voice, and mouth movements to make a sound on purpose.

 You know what? Pointing, access and display are also very ‘efficient’. If your child points to the snack cabinet and you understand, then you have successfully communicated without having to do anything. From your child’s perspective, the system works beautifully.

 Guess what? Gestures also develop when children get to know the world around them better.  You know what? They want to share what they see, ask for what they want, and call you into their interests. A dot can mean “Look!” “I want to!” “What is this?” or “Do you see it too?” – All this without a single word.

So, if your child shows a lot, it’s not “nothing”.  Like, It’s communication.

What your child can learn even if he doesn’t speak

When a child uses gestures to communicate, he is practicing the basics of conversation: sending a message and noticing the response. And oh yeah, You can already see small signs of this, such as they point at you and then look at you as if checking to see if you noticed.  

• Guess what? They arrive, stop and wait.  
• Like, It shows something and keeps you there, inviting you to enjoy the moment.  
• They repeat the gesture , gesture if the message doesn’t go through the first time.

These are early “back and forth” skills.  And oh yeah, they’re part of what makes conversation purposeful later on—because your child learns that communication isn’t just noise.  Seriously, It’s a relationship.

When sounds start to connect, what do they usually sound like?

Seriously, a bunch of parents , parents think that the next , next step is a clear word. But for a bunch of children, the bridge between gestures and words is much smaller and softer.

• Often the first change is simply that the voice begins to match , match the gesture.
• Access will be access + “mm”.  
• The dot becomes , becomes a dot + “Eh!”  
• From width to width + “Ah!”  
• The request turns into , into a small burst of sound , sound as he looks , looks at you.

These aren’t “perfect” sounds, and they don’t need to be. They are significant because they add energy and intention. They say, “I’m not just moving my hand, I’m trying to say something.”

This is the essence of an important early communication goal: combining gestures and sounds to communicate intent.  Seriously, It may look like it’s pointing, making a sound, or showing something while vocalizing “ah!” Uses excited or precocious words along with gestures in everyday interactions.

Why this section is important even if it’s small

When children begin to associate gestures with sounds, something beautiful often happens: interactions become more engaging. You’ll notice , notice more eye contact, more “checking in,” and more moments when your child is proud , proud to have understood. These small exchanges build trust. They also make communication fun rather than demanding – because your child will repeatedly say, “If I try, you’ll catch me.”

Over time, these moments can also support social skills.  Guess what? Your child begins to feel the rhythm of communication: I do something, you answer, I answer.  Seriously, this back and forth is the pulse of the subsequent conversation.

How to invite a pronunciation without turning it into a test

Most parents don’t want to put pressure on their children. They just want , want to help. The hardest part is that everyday life can easily start to feel like memorizing speech – for you and your child. And oh yeah, a more relaxed approach is to think of voicing as something you allow for, rather than something you require.

During the daily routine, you may notice moments when your child is already communicating clearly with gestures – such as snacking, dressing, bathing or playing – and simply reacts to the voice. This often feels like a warm, inquisitive pause, followed by a friendly comment that matches your child’s activity: “Oh, that’s what you want!” Or “I found the ball!”

When you respond with warmth and enthusiasm, you reinforce the message: “Your communication is working , working here.” Leaving a little space gives your child the opportunity to add something extra when they’re ready. Some parents find it helpful to think of ‘shared moments’ rather , rather than ‘recording’.  Like, For example, when , when your child shows something, you can treat it as a little celebration. If they point you under a book, you can follow their lead and appear interested.  You know what? When they ask for help, you can respond as if you were having a conversation together, even though the “words” are now mostly yours.

It doesn’t have to be a big deal. It’s more about feeling: relaxing, connecting and responding.

What progress can be like in real life

Progress towards communicating with gestures and voice is often subtle at first. It may not seem like a sudden burst of speech. You know what? Instead, you may notice: The baby often points or reaches and makes soft sounds. They show something and pronounce it, even briefly.  

They try to use simple beginning words along with gestures (not clear words yet, but consistent sound patterns). And oh yeah, There are more moments of shared excitement—like pointing at you, talking loudly, and looking at you as if to say, “Did you see that?!”  

They seem to be more involved in the game and routine because they can express their intentions more clearly.

These are sensible steps. These are also steps that build naturally when the child feels safe, understood and motivated to communicate.

Common parenting concerns and gentle paraphrasing

If you feel uncomfortable, it may help to know that a bunch of parents have similar thoughts at this stage.

“Am I doing something wrong because they don’t make a sound?”  

Most often not. Children have different schedules and comfort levels with sound. Your consistent, responsive presence is truly supportive.

“They’re constantly pointing, shouldn’t I answer that they need to talk?”  

Surprise is understandable, but for a bunch of children, communication flourishes best when they feel successful. When gestures are respected, your child learns that communicating with you is worthwhile. This sense of accomplishment actually makes it easier to integrate sounds over time.

“Other children are louder. My baby is very quiet.”  

Some children are naturally more relaxed in communication in the beginning. Silence doesn’t mean they don’t care. The child who points and examines your face is often very disciplined and now expresses it differently.

When extra support, support would be useful don’t panic

Sometimes parents simply want a little guidance: what should I pay attention to? How can I support this with goodwill? Is this the right goal for us?

Additional support can be helpful if you notice that communication seems to be stuck, if you don’t know how to encourage voice with gestures, or if you just want to get a clearer picture of what your child’s ‘next steps’ might look like. Some families like a simple, convenient home device that guides them toward goals such as combining gestures and sounds in daily routines. The Essentials is an option that offers short videos and parent-friendly ideas designed to fit into real life without turning your day into a checklist. It’s not something you have to do, but it’s just , just a support that some parents find reassuring as they move forward.

A quiet note at the end

If your child is pointing but not yet making a bunch of sounds, this does not mean that communication is not developing. Gestures are real , real communication. They show intent, interest and desire to be understood.

And when , when sounds begin to accompany these gestures—whether it’s an “ah!”, a hum, a squeak, or an early first word—it’s often because your baby has already had enough warm, successful experiences that he’s ready to add more. You don’t need to turn this section into a test. You can simply , simply continue to show your child every day, “I see you. I’m listening. What you say matters.”

These are the moments from which a relationship grows.