Joint attention is a crucial developmental milestone in childhood that involves the ability to focus on objects or activities that are of interest to others. It plays a fundamental role in social interaction, communication and learning and is one of the fundamental skills we learn in early childhood.
In this blog, we will explore the concept of joint attention, its significance for your child’s development and strategies to enhance joint attention skills through therapy. Read on!
What is joint attention?
Joint attention is the shared focus of attention between two or more individuals on an object, event or activity. It involves the ability to coordinate attention with others and intentionally share experiences.
When a parent points to a bird in the sky and exclaims, “Look at that beautiful bird!” a child with well-developed joint attention skills will follow the parent’s gaze, look at the bird and engage in a shared experience.
The main components of joint attention include:
- Attention – The ability to follow another person’s eye gaze.
- Emotions – Being able to look at another person’s face to get information on how they feel.
- Intentions – When a child and parent or carer are trying to do the same thing and know they are doing it together.
Difficulties in this area are often attributed to developmental disorders or underlying conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, children with autism and neurotypical children can experience issues in this area.
The importance of joint attention in child development
Joint attention plays a vital role in several aspects of child development, including social, language skills and cognitive skills.
Social Engagement
Helping children to connect and engage with others in meaningful ways. It fosters a sense of shared experiences, reciprocity and emotional connection.
Language Development
It also serves as a foundation for language development. Children learn to associate words with objects or events, expand their vocabulary and develop language comprehension skills.
Theory of Mind
Joint attention helps children develop an understanding of others’ perspectives, intentions, and beliefs. It contributes to the development of theory of mind, which is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others.
Cognitive Flexibility
By promoting the ability to shift attention between multiple stimuli and perspectives, joint attention enhances cognitive flexibility. It lays the groundwork for problem-solving, critical thinking and perspective-taking skills.
Age milestones for joint attention development
The development of joint attention follows a predictable sequence in most developing children. Here are some rough age milestones for your child’s development.
6-12 Months
Around this age, infants begin to engage in early joint attention abilities such as proto-declarative pointing, using gestures to direct others’ attention to objects of interest. They may also respond to bids for attention initiated by caregivers.
Infants will also get better at following the gaze and pointing gestures of others. They actively participate by initiating bids for shared attention through vocalisations, gestures or eye contact.
12-24 Months
Toddlers engage in coordinated joint attention, using eye gaze, pointing and verbal communication to share experiences with others. They also start requesting or commenting on objects, events or activities, aiding their early communication development.
By this age, toddlers engage in triadic joint attention, which involves coordinating attention between themselves, others and objects or events. They engage in pretend play, imitate others’ actions and may demonstrate these skills during book reading or other interactive activities.
Joint attention activities for parents and kids
Therapy can play a crucial role in fostering joint attention skills in children who experience challenges in this area. Your therapist may also recommend testing for an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis for your child if they’re struggling in this area.
Here are some evidence-based activities that therapists use to enhance joint focus skills:
Joint Attention Training
This involves structured activities and interventions designed to promote joint attention skills. Therapists may use play-based activities, visual supports, social scripts and modelling techniques to teach children how to initiate, respond to and sustain joint attention. They may also take your child’s lead and play with their favourite toys when teaching these skills.
Visual Supports
Visual supports, such as visual schedules, social stories and visual cues, can help children with understand and follow social expectations. Visual supports provide clear and consistent cues for joint attention, making it easier for children to engage in shared experiences.
Communication Strategies
Therapists work on improving communication skills and may use strategies such as modelling, prompting and shaping to teach children how to use gestures, eye contact and verbal communication to initiate and respond to joint attention bids.
Play-Based Interventions
Play-based interventions provide opportunities for children to practice these skills in a fun and engaging way. Therapists use play activities that require turn-taking, pretend play and shared problem-solving to promote joint attention and social interaction.
Parent Training and Involvement
Involving parents in the therapy process is crucial for the generalisation and maintenance of these skills. Therapists provide parents with guidance, strategies and resources to support joint attention at home. Parent training helps create a consistent and supportive environment for the child’s development.
Show enjoyment in any activity that you share together. Consistently give praise to your child for being involved in activities, either by gesture or verbally.
Environmental Modifications
Modifying the environment can facilitate joint attention. Creating visually appealing and organised spaces with clear boundaries and interesting objects can attract a child’s attention. Reducing distractions and providing clear visual cues can also help with practising these skills.
Peer Modeling and Peer Interaction
Incorporating peer modelling and peer interaction opportunities in therapy sessions can encourage joint attention skills. Children learn from observing others and can practice these skills in a natural, social context with their peers. In time, this can improve their social cognition and social skills.
Therapies For Kids provides expert support for joint attention, ASD and autism-related development issues
Through therapy and targeted interventions, children can enhance their joint attention skills and improve their overall communication and social interaction. By understanding the milestones and employing evidence-based strategies, therapists and parents can support children in developing this essential skill.
At Therapies For Kids, we provide fun and compassionate joint attention strategies for children with ASD. If you’re concerned about your child’s development or joint attention abilities, contact our team and book a consultation today.
