Topic “Eye contact”

To make eye contact

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Gain visual attention Use something that the person may be visually attracted by, for example: Flashing light; Any favoured object; Hair band with a visually interesting item e.g. Christmas bands.	Work in an environment that has as little visual distraction as possible. Talk to the person and attract their attention by moving around the flashing light or other object. Once the person is looking at the item establish visual tracking (move it around a little so that they can follow it with their eyes). When visual tracking is established bring the item up towards your eyes so that the person is looking towards your eyes. If the person makes eye contact then give lots of verbal encouragement by saying "hello" smiling etc.	Remember that although the room needs to have little visual distraction the light needs to be sufficient to allow clear eye contact to be made e.g. a low light sensory room may not be so good for this activity.

Activity/strategy name and materials required	How to do the activity	Key principles for doing the activity and comments
Peek-a-boo - A piece of material - this could be a blanket, a muslin, a cloth, a scarf.	Sit down with your child. Call your child's name to encourage them to look at you. Hold up the cloth between yourself and your child so that you cannot see each other's faces. Make a noise to help your child anticipate what will happen, e.g. "ooooo". Pull the cloth down and say "boo" maintaining eye contact with your child. Wait for a response, e.g. your child smiling and then say "more" and repeat the activity.	Sit on the carpet or at a table dependent on where is most comfortable for your child. Your child may not respond to their name so you may need to make an interesting sound to get their attention.

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