A new neuroscience study, published on Monday in Nature Neuroscience, reports that babies as young as two months old can already distinguish between categories of objects in their surroundings, an ability previously believed to emerge later in infancy. The research, conducted at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, analyzed brain activity from 130 infants while they were awake and viewing images of animals, trees, and everyday items. Scientists aimed to improve understanding of early cognitive development and determine how visual recognition begins during the earliest stage of life. Lead author Cliona O’Doherty explained that the findings suggest infants interact with their environment in a far more sophisticated way than previously assumed. Researchers believe the results may help guide future pediatric research and deepen scientific knowledge of early brain growth.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, scientists recorded brain responses as babies viewed different image categories. The method provided a more precise measurement than earlier techniques that relied on how long infants stared at objects. Findings showed clear patterns of brain activity when infants viewed animals compared with inanimate objects, demonstrating early categorization ability. Follow-up scans of 66 infants at nine months revealed a stronger brain response, showing continued progression in recognition skills. Experts described the study as groundbreaking because brain imaging with awake infants presents major technical challenges. Researchers suggested that future studies may connect early imaging data with later learning and developmental outcomes.