How Long Do Babies Look?

Reading researchers Monique Senechal, Edward H. Cornell and Lorri S. Broda studied the reading behaviors of 36 babies- 12 9-month-olds, 12 17-month-olds, and 12 27-month-olds. They wrote their findings in an article titled "Age-Related Differences in the Organization of Parent-Infant Interactions During Picture-Book Reading." They note,

The youngest children, on average, looked at the books for 55% of the duration of the reading episode. The 17-month-olds looked at the books for 73% of the time, and the 27-month-olds looked at the books 88% of the time. In addition, the youngest children looked at the book less and less as the reading progressed.

In other words, the older babies looked longer than the younger babies and the 9-month-olds (only) experienced looking fatigue during the course of a single book. The researchers also note, Children could look at each double-spread page for 30 seconds for a total of 120 seconds per book.

Babies vary. Senechal's statistics are based on group averages rather than a single baby's ability and they are based on her group of 36 babies. Your baby may attend more or less in comparison, and more or less according to the day's moment and moods and baby book in hand. You can accommodate short looking times by sharing books in short spurts throughout the day.

How long does your baby look?

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