Sorry I just now caught this. Children will look at an adult especially with a eager or pleading expression for permission. When their eyes areMaybe they are not looking to see if they got caught but looking for permission. How else are they going to know the rules unless they test them? Just a thought.
darting about or that expression of defiance when staring at another child, it's two different motives. When looking to a child for permission
or an invite there is usually an expression of kindness, a more softer glance than the other stare.