Toy as Visual Stimulator for Early Childhood Research Paper

Toy as Visual Stimulator for Early Childhood - Research Paper Example This was demonstrated by measuring the way infants sucked on pacifiers (they typically sucked harder the better they liked something). However, objects such as balls and basic shapes did not instigate a strong reaction in the infants. Most studies that measure infant response to objects use a similar route, measuring the individual baby’s responses through the use of pacifiers and presenting to the infants a variety of objects, familiar and not familiar (Spitz and Woolf 90). Additional studies with infants can be done to help us better understand this concept of visual perception before six months old. For instance, with the advent of technology, more computerized visuals could be created, with not only patterns and faces, which have been so commonly used, but also moving stimuli. Not many tests have been done to see how young infants actually react to moving stimuli. We have established, through current research, that young babies are able to perceive outlines and do have the ir own ways of understanding when they see familiar items and faces. However, their own particular reactions to moving stimuli have not been measured. Of course, young infants are generally not able to follow items side to side, but items placed directly in front of them on a computer screen can still be used in order to measure their reactions. Many studies have been done like this with older babies and toddlers to measure their responses to sounds and colors, generally done by researchers of children’s television shows, like Nickelodeon, and toy companies wanting to sell successful products. However, it would be interesting to see if certain objects could be used to create a show that might be interesting to very young babies, as it may help them... One recent study included putting a variety of faces and other objects on a screen for three-month-old infants to see. Infants responded to all faces, having a heightened response to familiar faces. This was demonstrated by measuring the way infants sucked on pacifiers. However, objects such as balls and basic shapes did not instigate a strong reaction in the infants. Most studies that measure infant response to objects use a similar route, measuring the individual baby’s responses through the use of pacifiers and presenting to the infants a variety of objects, familiar and not familiar. Additional studies with infants can be done to help us better understand this concept of visual perception before six months old. For instance, with the advent of technology, more computerized visuals could be created, with not only patterns and faces, which have been so commonly used, but also moving stimuli. Not many tests have been done to see how young infants actually react to moving stimuli. Many studies have been done like this with older babies and toddlers to measure their responses to sounds and colors, generally done by researchers of children’s television shows, like Nickelodeon, and toy companies wanting to sell successful products. However, it would be more interesting to see if certain objects could be used to create a show that might be interesting to very young babies, as it may help them perceive and learn at an even earlier age. For most parents, the earlier they can assist their child with learning, the better.