University of Ottawa Child Development Research

Participate in our exciting new research on how children's language, thinking, and social abilities develop.

We are three child development labs at the University of Ottawa who are conducting exciting new research on how children’s language, thinking, and social abilities develop. We are currently recruiting parents and their children to participate in our ongoing studies. 

Most studies entail an hour-long visit to one of our labs and provide a wonderful opportunity for parents to watch their child reveal their knowledge and feelings about their world.

We have already learned a great deal about how children develop and strive to share these findings with both parents and the public.

Childhood Cognition and Learning Lab

Ages: 2 – 5 years

We are interested in learning more about how young children think.

For example, when do young children start to plan for, and think about, the future? How do these abilities change and develop over the preschool and early school years? How do young children make sense of beliefs and desires?

To answer these and other questions, we conduct studies with preschool-age children.

See our website for more information.

Language Development Lab

Ages: 4 – 24 months

By observing how babies listen and respond to language, we hope to unlock the mysteries of language learning.

We welcome all infants, whether they are learning one language or more. Our studies take place in a cozy environment, are scheduled at your convenience, and parking is free.

We also have special gifts for our participants!

We'd love to answer any questions you might have on language development.

See our website for more information.

Child and Adult Relationships and Environment Lab

Ages: 2 – 5 years

Being a parent is an exciting and challenging adventure. Throughout this adventure, you as parents are rewarded by watching your child develop into a unique individual.

At the CARElab, we’re interested in knowing about how different types of social environments (such as parents, siblings and peers) work together to shape your child’s social and emotional development.

We also look at how your child’s own personality works in turn to influence those environments.

See our website for more information.

Current Projects

We always have a number of fun and interesting studies on the go exploring various aspects of children's cognitive development.

We're currently exploring whether children "save" for the future (e.g. food, toys, etc.); and if children understand that desires change over time – that is, do they understand that what they like right now (e.g. Pokemon) may change when they're older?

Finally, another one of our projects explores children’s memory and planning for everyday events, like going to the park, or going to a restaurant.

Current Projects

Bilingual Babies: Nearly all research in infant language development has focused on monolinguals. Yet, many infants are raised in a bilingual environment.

These infants have rich language exposure (i.e. multiple language sounds).

We are investigating bilingual babies' perception of speech sounds to see how it is similar to and different from that of monolinguals.

Conceptual Clarity: We are also investigating how clarifying the nature of a word (e.g. making it obvious that is a noun) affects infants' use of sound information in words.

Current Projects

Your preschool child is faced with many new social environments, and we would like to better understand what is important to help your child adjust to these new and exciting experiences!

Our current research projects look at the individual roles that you as moms and dads play in the development of your child’s social skills.

We're curious about your child’s interactions with both parents in familiar places, as well as in new environments.

Our research sessions take place in a fun-filled environment, will be scheduled according to your family’s routine, and parking is free! We also have a little surprise for kids AND parents, after the research is done!!

A Typical Visit

Your visit will last approximately one hour (and we’re always happy to have you come again should you wish to participate in another study!).

We want your child’s visit to be a fun and rewarding experience! Once your child is comfortable with the researcher, he/she and the researcher will play games in one of our playrooms. You will always be with your child (parents usually watch behind a one-way mirror). At the end of your visit, your child will receive a thank-you gift!

A Typical Visit

We schedule visits of 30 minutes, which we aim to make as fun and informative as possible.

Our studies usually involve your infant sitting comfortably on your lap watching a screen that shows an object while simultaneously hearing a label for that object. This takes less than 10 minutes.

You will then fill out a questionnaire about your infant’s current vocabulary while he or she is free to play. This takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

A Typical Visit

You and your child (age 2 – 5) are invited to participate first in 2 separate, hour-long lab visits (once with mom and once with dad).

You can also take part in an optional home visit with the whole family.

During each visit your child will play and interact with you, and briefly with our research assistants.

We are able to compensate you for your time with $20 for each visit we have with you and your child.