Managing Attention

Click on the links for a game that can help a child learn the skill or more information on the strategies suggested:

Child will become more aware of others and what others are doing

Using little predictable routines so as to become more predictable (Click, Click, Click Game)
Becoming the source of things that the child enjoys
Exaggerating facial expressions
Using an expressive voice
Interrupting routines
Imitating the child (Drum Imitation Game)
Expectantly waiting for a response after trying to interact with the child
Using visual rather than verbal communication (pictures, demonstrations, gestures)
Using music including a more melodic voice, funny and repetitive sounds

Additional Links: Come Play With Me

Becoming interested in playful social interaction

Being playful while interactive
Talking less and using predictable language
Demonstrating simple (not too many steps) playful routines
Being observant and noting what the child enjoys and using this information
Adding an enjoyable sensory experiences to play (i.e. swinging, jumping, tickling, water play)

Shifting attention rapidly between people, activities and toys

slowing down the routine so that it it not so rapid and then gradually speeding up as the child can successfully shift attention
using an indrawn breath, a more emotional voice, or an exaggerated facial expression to draw child's eyes to your face
playing games where looking at someone or listening to someone is part of the game
reducing or eliminating competing distractions (i.e. turn off television, remove toys that are not being used in the game, reduce the number of people in the room)

Paying attention when routines change

Providing information about when routines will change including visual schedules, transition songs (e.g. Clean up songs)
Making clear endings to one game or activity and then a clear beginning to the next activity (e.g. saying "All done ______, Time for ______" with each activity having a name that is always the same)

Paying attention when the topic is not a preferred topic or the game is not a preferred game

Start to teach a child to pay attention by interacting with the child using preferred topics or playing a preferred game
Integrate new topics or games gradually but keep some aspects or elements of the preferred topic or game (e.g.
Let the child know how long you will be talking about a non-preferred topic or playing a non-preferred game

Noticing what a play partner is looking at, doing, feeling, and trying to accomplish

play games where noticing is part of the game and required to accomplish the goals of the game
pre-teach language skills needed to understand what others are doing, feeling, or trying to accomplish
model noticing what others are looking at, doing, feeling and trying to accomplish and model this in such a way that the child can understand that is what you are doing