For Parents

Opportunities for Parents:

The Cognitive Development Lab is a part of the Center for Early Childhood Research at the University of Chicago. The Center offers a variety of fun research opportunities for children from birth through middle school. To read about some of our recent research, check out our newsletter! If you are interested in being contacted about future study opportunities, please click here to sign up! Feel free to email us or call us at 773-834-4647 with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is the Center for Early Childhood Research located?
We are located on University of Chicago’s campus, in Beecher Hall at 5848 S. University Ave, between 58th and 59th street. Our lab is accessible by car, Metra, or the #2 and #6 bus. If you drive, we will provide you with a parking pass for the lot directly across the street from our building. We will always have a researcher standing outside our building to bring you inside.

What should I expect when I come in to participate with my children?
Our research studies typically last between 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the age of your child. When you first arrive, we will bring you to a child-friendly waiting room to describe the specifics of your visit, and give your child time to play and get used to the researcher. Typically, children enjoy participating in our research, as many of our studies are presented as games and children receive one-on-one attention. Activities your children may do range from completing puzzles to playing counting games. Your children are welcome to stop early if they wish, or let us know that they do not want to participate in the study.

Can I bring the whole family to the appointment?
You are welcome to bring in all of your children to the appointment, even if they are not participating! We have a waiting room full of toys, and would be happy to provide babysitting during the study to make it more fun for your other children.

Will I find out the results of my child’s performance?
Our studies do not typically look at individual performance, as we are interested in general trends and the group as a whole. We would be happy to share with you the progress of the study, and the results once the study has been completed.

More Questions? Feel free to send us an email and we’ll be happy to answer them for you!