What are Joint Attention Skills?

Before children use words to communicate, they learn how to share attention with another person. This skill is called joint attention, and it is one of the most important building blocks for communication, language, and social connection.

Joint attention is not about forcing eye contact — it’s about sharing an experience together.

What Is Joint Attention?

Joint attention happens when a child and another person focus on the same thing at the same time and know they are sharing that moment.

Examples include:

• A child looks at a toy, then looks at you, then back at the toy

• A child points to something interesting and looks to see if you noticed

• A child looks at you when something exciting or surprising happens

  
  

These small moments are powerful because they show a child is ready to connect and communicate.

Why Joint Attention Is So Important

Joint attention helps children:

• Learn new words by linking language to shared experiences

• Develop social and play skills

• Understand turn-taking and interaction

• Build strong relationships with caregivers

• Prepare for conversation and learning

Research shows that strong joint attention skills are closely linked to later language development.