Engage, Connect, Learn: Joint Attention Strategies for Success
Heyyy, BCBA Ruby here!
If you’ve ever watched a child point to something exciting and look back at you to see if you noticed, you’ve witnessed the magic of joint attention. Joint attention is when two people focus on the same thing, and it’s a huge part of how we connect, share, and learn. For children, especially those on the autism spectrum, joint attention is a critical skill to develop for social interactions, language development, and learning from the environment. But how do we encourage and strengthen joint attention in a way that’s engaging and effective? That’s where strategies like Tell Me, Show Me, Share with Me come into play!
Let’s dive into these simple but powerful strategies to help your child or student develop strong joint attention skills.
What Is Joint Attention?
Joint attention is the ability to focus on the same object or event as another person and share that experience. It’s a foundation for building communication, language, and social skills. For example, when a child points to a dog and looks at you to see if you're also noticing the dog, they’re practicing joint attention.
Why is it so important? Joint attention is essential for developing language because it helps children learn new words by associating them with things or actions they’re paying attention to. It also lays the groundwork for later social skills, such as understanding other people’s perspectives and emotions.
Tell Me: Verbalizing Joint Attention
The first step is telling. When you notice something that’s of interest to the child, talk about it out loud! For example, if you see a bird flying by, say something like, "Look at that bird!" This encourages the child to hear language related to what’s going on in their environment.
Why it works:
By saying what you’re noticing, you’re creating a verbal cue that associates the object or action with words, which helps build their vocabulary and understanding.
How to do it:
Use simple and clear language.
Be enthusiastic about what you're pointing out, so the child is more likely to engage.
Make it fun and exciting—your energy will draw their attention!
Show Me: Modeling Joint Attention
Next, we need to show them. If the child is focused on a toy or an object, demonstrate how to share that experience with you. For example, if the child is playing with a car, you can take another car and join in the play. You might say, "Let’s race our cars together!" and start racing the toy car around.
Why it works:
Showing the child how to engage with the object and you models the action and interaction. This gives them a concrete example of how joint attention can work in a social context.
How to do it:
Be active in your engagement.
Use your body and facial expressions to show excitement and involvement.
Mirror the child’s actions if they’re already engaged in something (e.g., if they’re stacking blocks, you stack blocks too).
Share With Me: Encouraging Active Participation
Finally, it’s time to share the experience together. This is when the child starts to actively participate in joint attention. After you’ve demonstrated the behavior, now it’s their turn to take the lead or reciprocate the interaction. If you’ve been playing with cars together, encourage the child to hand you one of their cars to race. This shows them that joint attention is a shared experience, not just one-sided.
Why it works:
By allowing the child to share the experience, you are reinforcing the idea that joint attention is an interactive process. It also boosts their confidence in communicating and engaging with others.
How to do it:
Prompt gently if needed: "Can you show me your car?"
Praise their efforts: "Great job sharing the car with me!"
Make sure to take turns so the child feels both included and valued.
Tips for Success with Joint Attention Strategies
Be patient: Joint attention is a skill that takes time to develop. Some children may need more practice than others.
Use interests: Focus on what the child finds engaging, whether it’s a favorite toy, animal, or activity. When they’re interested, they’re more likely to participate.
Consistency is key: Use these strategies regularly, but be mindful not to overwhelm the child with too many instructions at once.
Keep it light: Make the experience fun and low-pressure. The goal is to create positive experiences around joint attention so the child feels motivated to engage more.
Final Thoughts
Joint attention is the foundation for building strong communication skills, social interactions, and a deeper understanding of the world. By using strategies like Tell Me, Show Me, Share with Me, we can help children develop these essential skills in a way that’s fun, engaging, and supportive. Remember, every moment of connection counts, so make the most of these opportunities to bond and learn together!
Until next time,
Ruby Ladrido, BCBA 🐦💖
