Pointing is an important early communication skill. Babies direct our attention by pointing to things. They usually begin pointing between 9-12 months of age. While the primary goal of pointing is for communication, it is also largely a fine motor skill.
If baby is over 9 months of age and not yet pointing, you can work on this skill to help them.
Poking Skills
Poking is essentially the same motor skill as pointing. You can work on poking to build the same skills needed for pointing.
Push Buttons on Toys
Pushing buttons on toys is a great way to work on poking skills. Getting the effect of a sound or music when pushing a button can increase baby’s motivation for poking.
The smaller the button, the more it will encourage use of one finger, rather than the entire hand. This learning cube is great for pushing buttons and baby can also spin the movable pieces with one finger.
Pop Bubbles
Babies and kids tend to love bubbles and they are great for working on so many skills! Fubbles are my hands down favorite bubbles to use. They are high quality and don’t pop too easily (sorry dollar store bubbles, but some of you are terrible…). They also have a no-spill option which is amazing for young kids! Don’t ask me how, but they really are no-spill!
With a little practice you can learn to catch a bubble on the wand to let your baby pop it. Show them how to do this with only their pointer finger extended.
For information on more ways to use bubbles check out our Bubble Activities article!
Button Sound Books
Button sound books have been around for a long time and are a great tool for working on poking. They are also great books to start with if baby shows less interest in standard books. The sounds and music can help with the entertainment factor.
Smaller books with 10 buttons or less may be best for young babies so they don’t get overwhelmed. This farm animal option on Amazon can also help with teaching animal sounds!
Pop It Toys
Pop it fidget toys have become incredibly popular over the last several years. You can find them everywhere these days and in many shapes, sizes, and colors. This four pack on Amazon is a good deal and they are bright and colorful to help draw baby’s attention.
Poke-a-Dot Books
Melissa and Doug have these amazing line of books called Poke-a-Dot that help encourage pointing. They’re similar to playing with a pop-it, but more engaging because there are pictures and words and you can read to your child while encouraging poking.
I love the smaller books (like the ones is this bundle on Amazon) for young babies. They are small enough for baby to hold and the pages are less busy, which can help baby to focus.
They do have larger books that are great for older babies and toddlers. They offer both sizes in so many different themes and topics. They make great gifts and you can find one for many major holidays. The Night Before Christmas would make a great Christmas gift!
Poking Finger into Holes
Toys and objects that have small holes just a tad larger than baby’s finger width are great for encouraging poking. Babies tend to naturally love sticking their fingers in things (hence the invention of outlet protectors!).
Toys such as pegboards can encourage babies to poke their fingers inside but can also be used later for babies to put the pegs in.
Pointing Skills
You should also model and practice pointing with your baby throughout the day.
Pointing to Objects in the Environment
Point to objects around the house when talking about them. Point to trees, the sky, birds, and other people when outdoors and label them.
Pointing to Pictures in Books
Reading books with babies has so many benefits. Not only are books great for cognitive development, but they are great for developing early communication skills. Reading to babies exposes them to so many new words and concepts.
You can point to the pictures in the book when telling your baby about what you see on the page. Try asking your baby things like, “where is the dog?”, wait a few seconds and then point to the dog yourself. You may be surprised one day when your baby points to the picture all on their own! Giving them the opportunity to do this early on sets up this routine.
Board books (like this one) that are bright and colorful are ideal. They are harder for baby to rip than books with paper pages and are also easier for baby to learn to turn the page.
Sing Songs with Gestures
Singing songs with gestures that include pointing is another great way to practice this concept with your baby. It will probably take them awhile to reciprocate, so don’t worry if they don’t do it right away. They may just stare at you as you do it the first 50 times and then suddenly one day attempt to finally copy you!
Here are some great examples from YouTube:
Pointing is an essential communication skill that is pretty easy to work on. A little practice and your baby will pick it up!
This post contains affiliate links
When Do Babies Clap? And How to Teach Them!
Grasp and Release Activities for Babies
- [Multi-Sensory Activity Toy] – Uses bright colors for stimulating babies vision. Soft and flexible edges, textured cords…
- [Build Multiple Skills] – Toddlers develop gross and fine motor skills, color recognition, cause and effect and strengthen…
- Fine Motor Games for Kids: Build fine motor skills with chunky, peg-shaped pieces that fit to the back of this friendly…
- Colorful quills help kids build color recognition, sorting, and counting skills through fine motor skill games. Spike is…
- Develop Fine Motor Skills: The double bands on one side and single bands on the other four sides allow for varying levels…
- Sorting and Learning: As babies grow, they can sort the shapes in the correct holes, helping with learning shapes and…