Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Language Development and Communication (LDC)

Subdomain: Learning to Communicate

Goal: Children participate in conversations with peers and adults in one-on-one, small, and larger group interactions.

Skill Progression: Participate in conversations with peers and adults

Age: 8-10 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 8-10 Months.

Observe the adult and child during routines of the day or during play interactions.

No elicitation needed.

Both the child and the adult use eye gaze and point to direct the other’s attention to what they want him to see. If the adult is not paying attention, then the child uses physical contact to get her to engage.

Help early childhood educators and parents understand the importance of pointing for the infant’s language development. Following the point indicates that the infant understands that the topic of discussion is what the finger points at, not the finger itself. The child learns vocabulary related to the object of the point. The infant also learns that using a point directs the adult to his needs and desires. Adults should both use the point themselves and immediately respond to the infant’s point by naming the object of the point.