Responding to their name

What’s happening

Turning to look when you say their name is an early sign they're tracking language and recognizing themselves as someone being spoken to — a genuine social and hearing milestone, not just habit. It usually shows up alongside other early social skills, like reacting when you leave the room or playing along with peekaboo.

How to support it

• Use their name often in ordinary talk, not just to get their attention or as a command.
• Pair their name with eye contact and a warm tone — that combination is what they're learning to recognize.
• Call their name from a few feet away, outside their direct line of sight, to practice the 'turn and look' response rather than just reacting to your presence.
• Notice whether they respond consistently across settings (quiet room vs. background noise) — that consistency is part of what a pediatrician will ask about.