How infants learn and explore: From behavior to computations

Infants’ abilities to learn and actively explore the world play a pivotal role in shaping the development of their cognitive capacities. This review integrates findings from behavioral studies, neuroimaging, and computational modelling to illuminate how infants detect regularities, construct hierarchical systems of knowledge, and proactively explore their environment. After reviewing visual learning and exploration processes, I focus on the initial constraints under which these processes operate. Specifically, perceptual constraints such as poor visual acuity and a slower rate of visual processing are crucial for supporting early learning and nudging it in the correct direction. Overall, this review elucidates our current knowledge about the computational bases of infant learning and exploration processes and identifies the aspects that still require more in-depth research.