Development of attention in early childhood

: Based on observations of a group of 16 healthy newborn mature babies the authors describe the development of attention during the first six months of life. Analysis of data revealed the importance of age and individual differences. We investigated an interrupted attention (lasting half a minute or longer) focused on the face of adults and a suspended toy, and interrupted attention (lasting for a period less than half a minute with an interruption not longer than half a minute). The curve of uninterrupted attention paid to the face of an adult had the shape of an inverted letter "U". As regards uninterrupted attention devoted to toys this type of curve was less expressed. Interrupted attention increased continuously with age. Individual differences between children throughout the investigation period displayed considerable stability.