Where Is It?
Parent names familiar people, objects, and animals and watches whether child points to or looks at the correct target. Covers receptive identification and pointing milestones at 12-18mo. Three phases: people pointing, object naming in the room, and picture-book pointing.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Be in a room where there are several visible, familiar objects and ideally one other family member or caregiver. If you have a picture book, have it nearby. Parent should NOT point or look toward the named target before child responds.
How it works
- 1~30s
If there's another adult or family member in the room: ask your child 'Where's [name of other person]?' without looking toward them yourself. Does your child look, point, or move toward them? Then try 'Where's Mummy?' or 'Where's Daddy?' Tell me what happens with each.
Watch for: Child looks or points toward named family member
- 2~45s
Now with familiar objects in the room — things your child uses regularly. Say: 'Where's their cup?' or 'Where's the ball?' or 'Where's the [favourite toy]?' Don't point. Give your child 5 seconds. Does they look toward, point at, or move toward the named object? Try 3 different objects. Tell me.
Watch for: Child points to or moves toward named familiar objects
- 3~40s
If you have a picture book: open to a page with 2-3 clear pictures of familiar things. Say 'Where's the [dog/cat/ball/cup]?' — point to the page generally, not to the specific picture. See if your child touches or points to the correct image. Make an animal sound instead: 'Where's the one that goes [moo/woof/meow]?' — that's the animal-sound pointing test. Tell me what happens.
Watch for: Child points to correct image in picture book, including animal-sound cue