Live play boosts infant brain engagement

A lab EEG study of 22–44 month olds found stronger attention and social‑engagement brainwaves when infants played live with caregivers than when they watched screens, even when the caregiver was present. The pattern held in an independent sample including children on the autism spectrum and was reported in Brain and Language by Northwestern researchers. — If replicated, physiological evidence like this reframes screen‑time policy: regulators and pediatric guidance should privilege caregiver–infant interaction quality (joint attention) over simple screen‑minute limits.