Does your child have difficulty looking when you call their name or when you point to show them something? Does it seem like they are in their own world? This may be a sign that your child has difficulty with joint attention.

What is joint attention?

Joint attention is when a child turns their attention to something you are saying, showing, or doing usually with eye gaze and gestures. For example, when you point to something you see outside and say “look”, does your child look? For some toddlers, this skill is not demonstrated or only demonstrated some of the time. It’s important that we see consistent and sustained joint attention when learning language.

Here are some ways you can improve joint attention during play:

1. Play face-to-face with your child on activities that require your participation. Activities like blowing bubbles, rolling a ball back and forth, and peek-a-boo are great activities to work on attention. Try pausing mid-game and wait for your child to look before continuing.
2. Play side-by-side and use gestures and words to guide your child’s attention. When you complete a puzzle or read a book together, label and point to each item you talk about. Move puzzle pieces in front of their eyes as you label what they are.

I recorded a video on this topic. Check it out here: 

Looking for more ideas? Check out my book “30 Days to Get Your Toddler Talking.”  It’s a 30 day step-by-step program for parents and caregivers of toddlers 18 months to 3 years old that are not talking or talking very little. Order your copy here.