Parents' spatial language and gestures shape how long infants look during puzzle play

What is it about?

In this study, we observed parents playing with a puzzle with their 9-month-old infants. We recorded what the parents said and did (e.g., pointing) and we used a head-mounted eye tracker to measure where the infant looked at each moment. We were interested in how parents’ language and their gestures were related to where infants looked. We found that infants’ attention was engaged when parents used spatial words (e.g., “put it HERE”) or labels (e.g., “it’s a MONKEY”), especially if they pointed at the same time, more than when they used more neutral language (e.g., “Look at this”). This study adds to our understanding of how caregivers’ language contributes to infants’ in-the-moment attention, even before children have begun to talk.

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Photo by Anna Mysłowska-Kiczek on Unsplash

Photo by Anna Mysłowska-Kiczek on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study uses a unique technology (head mounted eye trackers with infants). It examines how infants and parents structure their interactions during play. It shows that even before infants begin to talk, parents can influence where and how long they look with their words and gestures.