Early Learning Laboratory

The Early Learning Laboratory at Northwestern University is dedicated to researching typical and atypical language and cognitive development in infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Our research program is motivated by an overarching interest in the mechanisms by which knowledge is acquired and organized throughout infancy and early childhood. We focus primarily on categorization and early word learning as indicators of conceptual development.

Our studies take place in a comfortable home-like setting at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus at the Frances Searle Building in the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Parents participate with their children in a play session that usually lasts between 10-45 minutes. During this play session children play with toys, look at pictures or movies and/or listen to speech sounds while we simply note their attention and response to each one. Parking is free and children receive a small gift to take home with them. Parents enjoy the opportunity to play with their child and observe the session in our relaxed environment.

If you are interested in the studies and have no further questions, sign up now to participate and join the fun!

If you would like to speak to a researcher or request a brochure, do not hesitate to call us at 847-491-2098 or email us at: earlylearninglab-csd@northwestern.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!