But what about toy gun control ... the owner of Promises & Possibilities Daycare in McCordsville sees children pointing their fingers like a gun, they are promptly told to stop.

"This isn't about guilt, blame and fault. We're not pointing fingers," said Smith. "A child's occupation is play and toys are their tools. These toys can be used safely but parents need to be ...

Pointing makes kids believe you. And it may convey an air ... not just Westerners who point things out with our index fingers. In other cultures, elbows, chins or other fingers are used instead.

My youngest child is now 10 months old. We have exchanged deeply meaningful glances about fish pull-toys ... pointing toward interesting things and him drooling and staring dumbly at my finger ...