Would this be considered Joint Attention?

Post Reply New Topic

My 3 year old loves to say "I see a _____" and you can fill in the blank with car, plane, rainbow, etc. Sometimes he will point with his whole arm (not his finger), sometimes he wont point at all, and very rarely he will point with his finger. If I ask him where it is, he will reply "There it is!" and continue to either point with his whole arm or not at all. Is this considered Joint Attention?

Also, If we are reading a book and I ask him to point to certain things, and he does (with his finger), is that also considered Joint Attention? What about when I am reading to him and he interrupts me to point to something and call it's name? Or is he just immitating me?

yes, I think it may be a form of joint attention. It seems that he is paying attention to the same activity that you are at the same time.

there are different levels of joint attention, just like there are different types of pointing.

Shared gaze - both parties are looking at the same object, i.e. looking at the same picture in a book

some other instances, more complex are.
Child points to an object and says "look" or "I see ___" expecting the adult to look.
Parent points to an object and says "look" and child looks at object.
Child points to an object and says "look", then looks back to see if the parent is looking.
Parent looks at something, and says "look" (without pointing) and child follows eye gaze.
Parent breaks eye contact to look at something behind the child and the child turns to look at what the parent is looking at.
Child reaches for something, and pauses to see if parent's face is showing approval/disapproval.

These are just a few examples.