Skill
Attends to Conversations
Child attends to and acknowledges spoken or signed conversation from others.
Ages 36–60 months
Why it matters
Attending to the comments and questions of others, and showing connection to a conversation, is the foundation for comprehension, turn-taking, and group learning. It signals that the child is tuned in to communication, not just sound.
Builds toward this milestone
- attends to communication and language from others. — Head Start ELOF
What mastery looks like
- Acknowledges a comment or question with a verbal or non-verbal signal, such as nodding, answering, or looking toward the speaker.
- Sustains attention through a multi-turn conversation or short group discussion without drifting away.
- Shows ongoing connection to a story or presentation by responding to its content.
How to observe it
- During a group discussion, does the child stay connected and respond to what others say?
- When spoken or signed to, does the child use a signal to show they are listening?
Accessibility
- Signed conversation and attention shown through gaze or AAC count fully as attending.
- For children who are DLLs, look for attending and acknowledgment in the home language.
- Reduce background noise and offer a clear view of the speaker's face and hands.
Activities
Evidence
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas