What’s the Point of Baby Pointing?

Have you ever noticed how infants often use their tiny index fingers to point at objects or things that catch their attention? They do this before they can even speak. This adorable and seemingly simple gesture actually holds a world of significance.

Why do infants point? Infant pointing is a remarkable developmental milestone that begins toward the end of the first year. This behavior reflects a deeper cognitive and social understanding that infants are starting to grasp. The research study, “12-Month-Olds Point to Share Attention and Interest,” published in the journal Developmental Science, sheds light on some of the fascinating reasons behind infant pointing. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology teased apart the reasons why babies point.

The findings of this research revealed that when adults engaged with babies by sharing their attention and showing interest through things like making eye contact and expressing emotions, the babies pointed more often during various interactions. They also tended to keep pointing longer, likely because they enjoyed the positive connection. On the other hand, when adults only showed emotions to the baby or focused solely on something else, the babies pointed less frequently during these interactions. They ended up repeating their points more within those moments, possibly trying to get the adult’s attention and create a shared focus. Overall, these results suggest that 12-month-old babies use pointing as a way to communicate and understand that people around them have thoughts and feelings that can be influenced and shared.

One reason infants point is to share attention. Pointing helps infants direct the attention of others to something that has captured their interest. It’s an early form of communication where they are essentially saying, “Look at this!” Through this gesture, infants begin to understand that others can see and share their focus. Pointing is a way for infants to express their curiosity, interest, and engagement with their surroundings. When they point, infants are indicating that they want to interact with a particular object or explore it further.

Infants may also use pointing as a way to seek assistance. If they can’t reach something they desire or need help with a task, pointing serves as a non-verbal request for aid. Now that we understand the many reasons that infants point, it’s important for parents to respond appropriately to foster their child’s social and cognitive development. Here are some tips on how to respond when your infant points:

1. Acknowledge and Validate

When your baby points to a ball, respond with enthusiasm. Say something like, “Oh, do you like the colorful ball?” This validates their communication efforts and shows that you are paying attention to their cues.

2. Engage and Explore

If your infant points at an object, join in on their exploration. Assuming that it is safe to do so, hand them the item they’re interested in or talk about it. Look at the spatula! We can use the spatula to flip pancakes on the stove. What color is it? It’s silver. How does it feel? It’s metal and cold to the touch! Do you want to help me put the spatula away? This shared experience enhances their understanding of shared attention and encourages interaction.

3. Encourage Communication

Encourage your baby to use words alongside pointing. For instance, if they point at their bottle of milk, you can say, “Do you want your bottle?” Using language helps bridge the transition from non-verbal to verbal communication.

Infant pointing is a remarkable milestone in your child’s development, reflecting their growing social and cognitive abilities. Understanding the reasons behind this behavior and responding to it with care can significantly support your child’s early communication skills.