Early Atlas

Skill

Engages Others in Interaction

Child uses sounds, gestures, words, or signs to start and keep social exchanges going.

Ages 0–36 months

expressive-language turn-taking conversation infant toddler

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Why it matters

Using communication to engage another person — a smile, a babble, a repeated word, or a short conversation — builds the social turn-taking that all later language rests on. It teaches a child that communication is a shared, reciprocal exchange.

Builds toward this milestone

  • uses non-verbal communication and language to engage others in interaction. — Head Start ELOF

Explore milestones →

What mastery looks like

  • Uses smiles, coos, babbles, or gestures to draw a familiar adult into interaction.
  • Repeats actions or words to start or keep up an exchange with another person.
  • Uses words, signs, or short sentences to begin, continue, or extend a simple conversation.

How to observe it

  • Does the child do something to get your attention and keep an interaction going?
  • In a back-and-forth game, does the child take a turn to keep it going?

Accessibility

  • Build turn-taking around whatever signal the child offers, including eye gaze or body movement.
  • Slow your pace and pause expectantly to give the child time to take a turn.

Activities

Evidence

Early Atlas