eye contact
One Everyday Therapy Activity for Your Toddler's Eye Contact
A simple, joyful home activity is "face-level peekaboo" — holding a toy or your face at your toddler's eye line and pausing with warm anticipation so they look up to share the moment, then rewarding every look with delight. The secret is to make yourself fun to look at, never to command "look at me".
The loveliest conversations with a toddler often begin without a single word — they begin with a shared glance.
In short
One simple, joyful Everyday Therapy activity is "face-level peekaboo" — bringing a favourite toy or your own face right up to your child's eye line during play, then pausing with warm anticipation so they look up to share the moment with you. Eye contact grows naturally when looking at you becomes the most rewarding part of the game — never something you force or demand.Try this today
1. Sit facing your toddler at their eye level, on the floor where you can be seen easily. 2. Hold a small toy, a bubble wand, or even a piece of fruit close to your own eyes. 3. Wait — pause playfully, smile, and let the suspense build. The natural curiosity will draw their gaze up towards your face. 4. The instant they glance at you, light up: "You looked! Here it comes!" — then blow the bubble, hand over the toy, or make the funny sound. 5. Repeat in short, happy bursts. Five warm tries beats fifty pressured ones.The secret is reward the look, never command it. Saying "look at me" tends to make the moment stressful; making yourself fun to look at makes it irresistible.
The science
Between 12 and 36 months, eye contact is a building block of joint attention — sharing focus on something with another person. Toddlers learn that faces carry meaning, and they look to check in, to share delight, and to read your reactions. By weaving these looks into everyday play, you strengthen the social-communication loop that underpins later language and connection.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — this home activity supports, never replaces, that care. Explore more on eye contact and how our occupational therapy team builds shared-attention skills.Trusted sources
Guided by CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental milestones, the American Academy of Pediatrics' healthychildren.org guidance on early social engagement, and WHO Nurturing Care framework for responsive caregiving.Next step — try face-level peekaboo for one week, and message our team on WhatsApp +91 91001 81181 to learn more about Everyday Therapy ideas tailored to your child.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Watch for shared looks growing more frequent and lasting a little longer during play, and for your child glancing at you to share delight. If eye contact stays consistently fleeting across settings alongside limited pointing or response to name, mention it at your next developmental check.
Try this at home
Make yourself the most fun thing to look at: hold a bubble wand or toy near your own eyes, pause, and reward every glance with delight. Five warm tries beats fifty pressured ones — never say "look at me".
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Should I tell my toddler to "look at me"?
It's best not to. Commanding eye contact can make the moment feel stressful and reduce its warmth. Instead, make yourself fun to look at — bring play and your face together so looking at you becomes the rewarding, natural choice.
How often should we practise this activity?
Short, happy bursts woven into everyday play work far better than long sessions. A few joyful tries during peekaboo, bubbles or mealtime, several times a day, build the habit gently without pressure.
My toddler rarely makes eye contact — should I worry?
Eye contact varies a lot between toddlers and develops gradually. Keep playing in warm, low-pressure ways. If looks stay consistently fleeting across settings alongside limited pointing or response to name, mention it at a routine developmental check — a clinician can guide you.