Family Objects
Parent helps child identify objects that belong to different family members, observing the child's ability to associate objects with specific people and express affection toward familiar individuals. The agent coaches the parent to notice social understanding, emotional connections, and early empathy development through everyday object recognition.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Parent and child sitting together on floor or at table. Gather 4-6 personal items from different family members (e.g., parent's phone, sibling's book, grandparent's glasses, child's own cup). Items should be familiar to the child. Space should be calm with minimal distractions.
How it works
- 1~30s
Let's start with one object at a time. Hold up something that clearly belongs to you, you — like your keys or your glasses. Show it to your child and ask 'Whose keys are these?' or 'Who do these belong to?' Watch their response carefully. Does your child look at you, say 'Mama' or 'Dada,' or point to you? Even if they doesn't say the words yet, does they show recognition through gestures or expressions? Tell me what you notice.
Watch for: Child correctly associates personal objects with specific family members through verbal identification, pointing, or clear gestures.
- 2~40s
Now let's expand to other family members. Place three different objects in front of your child — one yours, one from another family member like Dad or Grandma, and one of your child's own. Ask 'your child, can you give me Mama's phone?' or 'Where are your shoes?' Watch how they discriminates between different owners. Does they correctly select the right object? Does they show different emotional responses to different people's items?
Watch for: Child shows affectionate behavior toward familiar people's objects, like hugging Dad's shirt or kissing a sibling's toy.
- 3~45s
Let's try a caregiving scenario. Choose an object that belongs to someone not present, like a sibling at school or Grandma who lives elsewhere. Say 'Oh no, Brother's toy fell down!' or 'Grandma's glasses are dirty.' Watch your child's response. Does they show concern? Try to fix the problem? Or bring the object to you for help? We're looking for early signs of empathy — caring about others' possessions as an extension of caring about them.
Watch for: Child shows concern or care for others' possessions, indicating emerging empathy and understanding of others' needs.