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Strategy: Joint Attention
 
This time of year, many families are celebrating holidays which means there are more distractions than usual!  There are also many things that will be of high interest to your young child.  That provides a valuable opportunity for listening, vocabulary and language learning.  This is the perfect time to review the importance of joint attention.
Remember:  We can’t share information and learn from each other if we aren’t paying attention to the same things and using our turn-taking skills!  Whether you are following your child’s lead or developing a play routine, the same rule applies.

Definition:  Joint Attention is the ability for two or more people to share a common focus.

How is this done?  Joint Attention occurs when an adult follows the eye gaze of an infant or child and comments on whatever the child watches.  Joint attention can also occur when an adult attempts to gain a child’s attention to an object or activity. Along with definition, adapted from Auditory Verbal Strategies to Build Listening and Spoken Language Skills, S. Fickenscher, E. Gaffney, C. Dickson
Developmentally, babies begin to develop this skill between 6 and 9 months; however, as caregivers, you can seek and engage your baby’s attention beginning at birth.

Why is joint attention important?
  • Helps the child link concrete examples to words heard.
  • Maximizes auditory input by putting the child’s gaze on the object
  • Builds social skills related to conversational turn-taking
  • Promotes the development of spoken language

Helpful Hints:  Many children have a large collection of age-appropriate toys and books.  Having a large number of stimuli available for the child to choose from can impede joint attention.  Make one activity available at a time.

Homework:   Whether you are playing with your child or simply engaged in the routines of daily life, look for opportunities for joint attention.  During a diaper change, you might find your child looking at his/her toes.  You can use that moment to talk about feet and toes or chant “this little piggy,” or point and name other body parts.  Also think about all the ways you can engage your child around mealtime.  Keep a daily log of the activities that were most engaging for your child.  Make a note of your child’s vocalizations or conversations during these times.

Try this:  Limiting choices for a short period of time makes it easier to direct the child’s attention to an object of interest and allows for meaningful exchanges.  Sometimes we advise a parent to “keep some power for themselves” meaning to maintain attention by gradually providing more blocks or more cars, etc.  This increases the opportunity for language input such as “You are really hungry for more crackers” or “This time you have a blue car.”  Your child is naturally curious about everything in his world.  Take the time to build listening and language by capitalizing on this curiosity.  

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  • Home
  • About
  • Strategies
  • Endorsements
  • Hear@Play
  • Hear Here + There
  • Hear2Read
  • Photo Gallery
  • Hear Families Here
  • Hear4Support
  • Here's What's New
  • Graduation Address
  • “Introduction to Reading and Your Child”
  • Reading with Children from Birth to Three
  • Contact
  • Neuroplasticity article