Sensory Processing, Language Acquisition, and Social-Cognitive Development
Eye-Tracking Study During Picture-Book Reading
Thank you for your interest in this joint psychology study conducted by International Christian University and Tokyo Metropolitan University. This picture-book eye-tracking study is part of the larger collaborative project.
Recruitment for this study has ended.
Purpose
We examined the relationship between children's gaze while reading picture books and their comprehension, to investigate how independent picture-book reading may support language development.
Participants, location, and schedule
Children who were in first grade in 2025 and able to read a hiragana picture book independently were eligible. The study took place at International Christian University in Mitaka, Tokyo. Travel directions are available on the university website; participants arranged a visit with the research team.
What participation involved
Children read picture-book images on a monitor and answered questions about the story. An eye tracker recorded their gaze. Parents also completed questionnaires, including a vocabulary assessment. The visit took about two hours.
Thank-you gift
Participants received a 2,000-yen gift, including travel expenses.
Ethics and privacy
- The study was approved by the Tokyo Metropolitan University Research Ethics Committee.
- A safety-tested Tobii Pro eye tracker was used.
- Data were stored and analyzed by the research team and used only for research purposes.
- Consent documents and identifying information were kept securely. Publications and presentations do not disclose participants' identities.
- Participation was voluntary, and consent could be withdrawn without disadvantage.