Language Calendars for Early Communicators

Early communication refers to the foundational skills needed for person-to-person interactions and future language development. 

Communication may be unintentional (e.g. yawning might express fatigue) or intentional (e.g. reaching towards an out-of-reach toy and making eye contact with a nearby adult).

Some early communication skills include:

• requesting more of an activity by making eye contact, smiling, reaching, or gesturing toward a communication partner

• refusing or rejecting an object or activity by pushing the adult's hand away, frowning, vocalizing, and looking at an adult with an upset face

Explore these curated tools and activities to support your child’s language development through reading, interaction, and visual aids.

📖 Reading with Your Child

• 🔊 Tar Heel Reader
  Accessible online books for students with special needs.
  
  

• 📚 Core First Learning
  Printable books focused on high-frequency “core” vocabulary. (Tip: Click the “X” in the top-right corner of the pop-up window.)
  
  

• 🖼️ SymbolWorld
  Fiction and non-fiction books with picture support for symbol users of all ages.
  
  

• 🔤 Starfall
  Interactive, evidence-based activities for alphabet, phonics, and early reading.
  
  

🗣️ Interacting with Your Child

• 📝 Early Language Stimulation Techniques
  Tip sheet for encouraging expressive language during everyday routines.
  
  

• 💬 Communicative Temptations
  Strategies to motivate your child to communicate.
  
  

• 🎲 Grooming Lotto Game
  Symbol-based game for turn-taking and functional language.
  
  

• 🛋️ Furniture Sorting Activity
  Print, cut, and match furniture to rooms—great for vocabulary and categorization.
  
  

• 👃 5 Senses Scavenger Hunt
  Fun activity to explore sensory language.
  
  

• 🧸 Sesame Street: Caring for Each Other
  Weekly activities, online books/videos, and parent support.
  
  

• 🧘 Exercise Videos
  Child-friendly movement videos from a speech-language YouTube channel.
  
  

• 🎶 Music and Singing
  Handout with ideas for teaching language through songs.
  
  

• 🏠 What I Did at Home
  Interactive activity to help children talk about their day.
  
  

👁️ Visual Supports for Home

• ✅ First-Then Board
  Visual aid to help children follow routines and transitions.
  
  

• 📅 Visual Schedule
  Helps children understand their daily schedule.
  
  

• ⏲️ Visual Timer
  Shows how much time is left for an activity.
  
  

• 🖼️ PECS Tips
  Step-by-step guide for using the Picture Exchange Communication System.
  
  

🦠 Talking About Hygiene with Children

• 🧼 Handwashing Videos | Alternate Link
  Simple videos to teach handwashing and hygiene.
  
  

• 🧼 Handwashing Sequence Strip
  Ordered visual steps for washing hands.
  
  

• 🛡️ How to Stay Healthy Tip Sheet
  Visual guide with safety tips for children.

Joint attention happens when two people focus on the same object or event—knowing they’re sharing that moment together. One person notices something and invites the other to look, listen, or engage.

🌟 Why Is Joint Attention Important?

• It’s a foundational skill for developing interaction and language.

• It teaches children how to coordinate attention with others.

• It’s a form of social communication—used to share, not to request.

• It lays the groundwork for back-and-forth interactions and shared interests.

🧠 Children on the autism spectrum often struggle with joint attention. In fact, difficulty with joint attention is one of the earliest signs of challenges in social communication development.

🔍 Key Features of Joint Attention

1. Shared Focus
   Both people are focused on each other and on something else—like a bird, a falling object, or a crying baby.
   
   

2. Social Purpose Only
   Joint attention is used to show something, not to ask for it. It’s about sharing interest, not meeting a need.
   
   

👁️ What Does Joint Attention Look Like?

• Responding to Joint Attention
  A student looks at something you point out—like a dog walking by or a picture in a book.
  
  

• Initiating Joint Attention
  A student points to something interesting—like a bird in the sky—to show you what they see.
  
  

🧑‍🏫 How to Promote Joint Attention in the Classroom

1. 🎯 Follow Your Student’s Lead

Notice what they’re interested in and join them. This encourages shared focus and builds trust.

2. 📚 Use Interactive Toys & Books

Choose activities that require turn-taking or engagement—like puzzles, building blocks, or books with pictures. Sit at their level and point out things together.

3. 👀 Point Out Interesting Things

When something unusual happens, get down to your student’s level, make eye contact, and point it out. Then look back at them and wait.
Examples:

• A broken toy

• Squirrels chasing each other

• A funny picture in a book

4. 🎭 Do Something Unexpected and Wait

Create moments that spark curiosity:

• Put objects in unusual places

• Do something silly

• Make a purposeful mistake

Wait for your student to respond—watch for pointing, sounds, or words as they try to get your attention. Make sure you’re face-to-face so they can shift their gaze between you and the object.

💬 Why It Matters

By encouraging joint attention, you’re not just making interactions fun—you’re helping build the foundation for language, social connection, and communication growth.