Familiarity bias is the tendency to overlook, undervalue, or take things we’ve encountered many times for granted. When something becomes part of our daily lives—whether it’s a routine, a space, or a process—it loses its novelty and fades into the background of our awareness.

For example, 10-year-old me would have been amazed by smartphones. They would’ve seemed almost magical.  Adult me felt the same way when smartphones were first introduced, but the current me sees them as routine since they’ve been around for so long.

This bias makes it hard for adults to remember that even routine experiences (hearing a bird chirp or figuring out how to use scissors) can be fascinating and challenging for children. For early learning professionals and caregivers, understanding Familiarity Bias is essential for creating environments that respect and nurture a child’s sense of wonder.

Familiarity Bias in Early Learning

Familiarity Bias can benefit adults by increasing efficiency and reducing mental effort. Adults can operate on autopilot when tasks, routines, or environments become familiar, saving time and cognitive energy for more complex decisions or challenges. This familiarity also provides comfort and security, as predictable situations feel safe and low- risk. Additionally, it allows adults to perform routine tasks more quickly and accurately. While familiarity bias is a useful mental shortcut for adults, it often clouds our understanding of just how new, amazing, and unpredictable the world can be in the eyes of a child.

Here are some examples of how familiarity bias can cloud our perception:

Overlooking Newness

A teacher might assume a child understands how to use a tool or follow a routine, forgetting that these are still new concepts for the child. For example, assembling a puzzle may seem “obvious” to an adult, but it’s an entirely new challenge requiring problem-solving and patience for a child.

Rushing Through Moments

Familiar tasks like putting on shoes, walking to the playground, or cleaning up can feel mundane to adults, leading them to rush children through these moments. For children, these tasks are rich with opportunities for discovery—like noticing a line of ants on the way outside or remembering where the long rectangular wooden unit blocks go while picking up toys.

Underappreciating Questions

A child’s frequent “Why?” questions can feel repetitive or silly to adults, but these questions are how children explore and make sense of the world. Familiarity bias may cause us to dismiss their curiosity as trivial or redundant.

Familiarity Bias Vs. Mere Exposure Effect

It’s important not to confuse familiarity bias with the mere exposure effect, though both relate to familiarity.

The mere exposure effect describes how repeated exposure to something makes us like it more. For example, children who repeatedly hear a particular song or story may develop a strong preference for it. In contrast, familiarity bias overlooks or undervalues what we encounter frequently. A teacher may fail to notice how much joy a child gets from revisiting the same story or activity, seeing it as redundant instead of meaningful.

Counteracting Familiarity Bias in Early Learning

Here are some tips for counteracting the negative effects of familiarity bias:

Pause and Observe

Take a step back to see the world from a child’s perspective. Notice how they light up when exploring something familiar in a new way—like stacking blocks in a creative arrangement or mixing colors during art. Bring fresh, observant eyes to your interactions with children.

Slow Down

Resist the urge to rush children through routines. Allow extra time for them to observe, ask questions, and interact with their environment.

Celebrate Repetition

Repetition is a cornerstone of learning for young children. Instead of viewing repeated activities as “boring,” recognize them as opportunities for mastery and deeper exploration. (Yes, that may mean rereading books like Brown Bear six times in a row.)

Respect Their Curiosity

When a child asks a “Why?” question, try to explore the answer together, even if the topic seems mundane to you. Your engagement models curiosity and validates their sense of wonder.

Wrap-Up

Familiarity Bias is a natural part of how our brains work, but for early learning professionals and parents, it’s essential to be mindful of its impact. By slowing down, celebrating a child’s perspective, and recognizing the joy in everyday moments, we can build an environment that supports curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Support their learning by striving to see the world through a child’s fresh, new-to-the-world eyes.

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