What is Joint Attention?

By: Chelsea Menard, SSP, LPA

Joint attention is when a child and another person (like a parent) both focus on the same object or event—and they know they’re sharing that focus together. It’s like the child saying, “Hey, are you seeing what I’m seeing?” without using words.

In early childhood development, it can happen in simple ways, such as:

• Your baby looking at a toy, then looking at you to make sure you see it too.
• Your toddler pointing to a dog and then looking at your face to see your reaction.
• You pointing at something in the sky and your child following your finger to look at it.

This shared focus is important because it helps children learn how to communicate, develop language, and understand what others are thinking and feeling.

When Does Joint Attention Typically Develop?

• 6 months: Babies start showing signs by shifting their gaze between a person and an object.
• 9–12 months: Most babies begin to actively engage in joint attention by pointing, showing objects, or following someone else’s gaze or point.
• 12–18 months: Joint attention becomes more consistent and is used to communicate interest or excitement.

By 2 years: Most toddlers regularly use joint attention to share experiences and ask for things using gestures and eye contact.

If a child is not showing signs of joint attention by around 12 months, it can be helpful to talk with a pediatrician or early childhood specialist, as this skill is a key building block for communication and social development. Here are some at-home recommendations to work towards developing joint attention with your child.

Increase Looking

Make it Easy to Look:

• Face your child
• Try to be at your child’s eye level
• Bring objects close to your eyes

Interrupt and Wait

• Playfully block what your child is doing
• Hold on to an object for a few seconds longer before you give your child something he/she wants.
• Interrupt your child and do something unexpected/silly.

Increase Pointing

Help Your Child Point

• Point to things your child is interested in
• Help your child isolate his/her index finger to point

Set up Reasons to Point

• Have your child point to an object that he/she wants
• Put things in sight but just out of reach
• Ask your child to point to show you things
• If your child is pointing to something he/she wants, give it to him/her quickly to build the connection between pointing as a means of communicating.

Increase Showing

Help Your Child Show

• Help your child bring objects up to show
• As your child shows, hold your child’s hand up for a few extra seconds.
• Label the showing action with a sound or word

Set up Reasons to Show

• Have several objects together that your child can pick up and show.
• Ask your child to show you things- “Let me see!”
• If your child gives you something to show, look at it, then give it back quickly, do not keep it.
• Be interested and energetic about what your child is showing you.

Understanding joint attention is a crucial step in supporting your child’s social and communication development. As a parent, recognizing the importance of joint attention can help you build stronger connections and foster meaningful interactions with your child. By staying informed and proactive, you can better support your child’s growth and respond to their needs with confidence. For more tips on child development, early intervention, and parenting strategies, explore our blog and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.