RL.A.3 REGARDS A FACE MOMENTARILY

You will find this very same item in the Personal and Social Sequences, at PS.A.2. We include it in both checklists because giving attention to the face is so important to both Personal and Social and Receptive Language development. Indeed, development in these 2 areas is closely interconnected throughout the first year of life – and beyond.

Looking at the face is the first step in establishing eye contact – so crucial to socialising, attending and learning. As we note under PS.A.2, talking and smiling to your child are the best ways to encourage her to look at you, and this can begin from the moment of birth.

How to Assess

Method: Talk and smile to your child.

Score plus if your child watches your face for 1 or 2 seconds. She need not look directly into your eyes to score on this item.