Building Brains One Interaction at a Time: Serve and Return

When you toss a ball to a child and they throw it back, you are playing a game of catch. In early childhood development, a similar “game” happens with words, gestures, and facial expressions, it’s called Serve and Return. 

Serve and return is the back-and-forth interaction between a child and an adult. When a baby coos, points, or smiles (the “serve”), and the adult responds with words, eye contact, or a smile (the “return”), it creates a powerful learning moment. These exchanges are the building blocks of language, social-emotional skills, and brain development. 

Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child outlines the five key steps to a serve and return interaction. 

1. Notice the Serve – Pay attention to what the child is doing: a sound, a gesture or look. 
2. Respond Promptly and Warmly – Smile, talk, or imitate the child’s action. 
3. Add Language or Action – Name what they are looking at, describe what is happening, or ask a simple question. 
4. Take Turns – Keep the interaction going by waiting for the child’s next serve.
5. End When the Child Signals – Watch for cues that the child is ready for a new activity such as dropping a toy or shifting attention and follow their lead to the next serve. 

Practical Tips for Educators

• Narrate what you see: “You’re stacking blocks so high!” 
• Use facial expressions and gestures to match the child’s mood. 
• Ask open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen next?” 
• Slow down and give children time to respond. 

When these interactions happen consistently, children build resilience, confidence, and a sense of security, essential factors for lifelong learning. While serve and return interactions are most critical during infancy and toddlerhood, they remain valuable throughout the preschool years. 

Final Thoughts

Every time a child reaches out, or serves, and an adult responds in a supportive manner, brain circuits are activated and strengthened. Noticing a child’s attempts at connection and intentionally responding literally builds their brain and shapes their future. For more information on this dynamic process, check out the resource below.