Fostering Eye Contact Naturally
Increasing eye contact with your child is a great way to build connection, trust, and communication.
ABA Therapy
Here are some practical, gentle strategies parents can use:
01 Get on Their Leve
- Sit so your eyes are at the same height.
- This feels more natural and less intimidating, especially for younger kids.
02 Use Playful Games
- Play games like peek-a-boo, or copycat facial expressions.
- Try mirror play—make funny faces together while looking in a mirror.
03 Model It Naturally
- Show consistent eye contact when you talk to your child (but don’t force it)
04 Use Expressive Faces
- Children are often drawn to facial expressions. Exaggerate happy, surprised, or silly faces to keep their gaze.
05 Gently Prompt, Don't Demand
- Say things like: “Can you show me your eyes?” instead of “Look at me!”
- Use soft encouragement—especially if your child is shy or neurodivergent.
06 Read Together
- Sit close during story time and look at each other while discussing pictures or asking questions about the book.
07 Use Their Interests
- Talk about something they love. Kids tend to make more eye contact when they’re excited or engaged.
08 Limit Distractions
- Try to keep the environment calm during face-to-face interactions (e.g., reduce background noise or screens).
09 Celebrate and Reward Eye Contact
- Gently acknowledge it: “I love it when I can see your eyes—it helps me know how you’re feeling, or it is nice looking.”
