AbstractProcesses of visual development that yield a view of the world as coherent and stable begin well before birth and extend over the first several years after the onset of visual experience. Infants are born capable of seeing and with specific preferences that guide the point of gaze to relevant portions of the visual scene to support learning about objects and faces. Visual development after birth is characterized by critical periods in many notable visual functions, and by extensive learning from experience and increasing control over eye movement systems.WIREs Cogni Sci2011 2 515–528 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.128This article is categorized under:Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics