The Eyes Have It! Promoting Eye contact

Eye contact is an important skill for communication, social and emotional development in all children.  Below are some simple ideas to get kiddos of all ages 'looking in the right direction'.... 


Newborns

• Try propping your baby along your forearm, and cradle his/her head in your hand for support.  With your face 8-10 inches from baby, smile, sing songs, and enjoy those beginning moments of gazing into each others eyes and falling in love

0-6 months

• While on your back with knees to chest, lay your baby on their tummy, along your shins.  Slowly raise and lower your legs in a a game of "elevator," while making funny faces and sounds.
  
• Place your baby tummy down on a blanket.  Lay in front of your baby, talking gently, singing songs, and encouraging your baby to lift their head and hold themselves up.

Ages 1-3

• When your child brings you an item, get down to eye level.  Make comments and use a lot of facial expressions.
  
• If you're trying to get your child's attention and they are looking at or playing with something else, try this-- Touch their hand, wait for them to look up at you, and then talk to them.

Ages 4+

• If you're having trouble getting your child to look away from a device, the computer or TV, try answering yes and no questions without talking using a simple head nod/shake.  Doing this will encourage your child to stop what they're doing and look up at you to get their answer.
  

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