Attentional responses in toddlers: A protocol for assessing the impact of a robotic animated animal and a real dog

Background: Attentional processes in toddlers are characterized by a state of alertness in which they focus their waking state for short periods. It is essential to develop assessment and attention stimulation protocols from an early age to improve this cognitive function and detect possible deficits in the early stages of cognitive development. Methods: This protocol-based article presents a technological approach to assessing the impact of two animated stimuli on toddlers’ attention. The protocol involves presenting a robotic and a real dog to evaluate attentional activation in early development. This dual-stimulus framework may also inform therapeutic and educational programs aimed at fostering cognitive growth in early childhood. Discussion: This protocol contributes to assessing physiological attentional responses in toddlers, offering insights into attention evaluation and stimulation during early cognitive development. By incorporating both a robotic and a live dog, it enables the exploration of individual differences in attentional engagement and identifies which stimulus elicits a stronger response.