Research projects

We are currently looking for 17-month-olds (monolingual English) to be part of a vocabulary intervention study.

Over a series of 9 sessions, children will play with toys and watch a few short video clips. Each session will last from 30 to 50 min and will take place in the Infant and Child Laboratory. Parents will also be asked to complete a vocabulary checklist and a general development questionnaire.

As an appreciation of your time and participation, your child will receive a toy or a book at the end of the study. Travel expenses (up to £5 per visit) can be reimbursed. 

If you are interested in your child being part of this study or would like more information, please email the main researcher, Claudia Zuniga (CXZ612@student.bham.ac.uk), or the project supervisor Dr Andrea Krott (a.krott@bham.ac.uk).

We are currently looking for children to take part in an interesting study investigating how word learning can be improved in children that do not know/say as many words as other kids their age.  

What is the purpose of the study?

As many other milestones, the age at which children start talking can differ. Late talkers are a group of children that do not know/say as many words as other kids their age. Even though sometimes a language delay can be explained by a condition or disorder, late talkers just seem to be delayed for no apparent reason. In this study, we investigate how late talkers learn words and how their vocabulary can be enhanced by comparing two different language learning interventions

Who can participate in the study?

• We are looking for children between 24 and 47 months old.
• Children with no conditions or disorders that could explain their language delay.
• Children born full term (after 37 weeks of pregnancy).
• English as the only language used/spoken at home.

What does my child will have to do if he/she participates in the study?

The study takes place at the Infant and Child Lab (University of Birmingham), and consists of 9 individual weekly sessions that will each last between 30 to 60 minutes.

Before starting the study, you will be asked to fill out a vocabulary checklist to determine your child's language development, and a questionnaire about your child’s general development. This will be used to check if your child fits the criteria that we are looking for. If your child fits the criteria that we are looking for, he/she will be randomly assigned to one of two different language learning interventions. In both interventions you child will play with different toys and will watch a few video clips.

If you decide to take part in this project, and since everything is done individually, we are happy to book your appointments on the days/times that suit you (depending on availability).

Is there any reward for participating in this study?

As an appreciation of your time and participation, your child will receive a sticker after each session. Additionally, he/she will receive a book at the end of the study, and a “Junior Scientist” diploma. Travel expenses can also be reimbursed up to £5 per session.

Will my child's participation in this study be kept confidential?

All personal data will be handled as strictly confidential. Your child will be provided with an identification code that will be used instead of his/her name in the registry and collection of data.

How can I sing up or find more about this study?
If you would like more information or would like to sign up, please email the main researcher, Claudia Zuniga (CXZ612@student.bham.ac.uk), or the project supervisor Dr Andrea Krott (a.krott@bham.ac.uk).

 

We are currently looking for children to take part in an interesting study investigating language development in children born premature. 

What is the purpose of the study?

In this study, we are looking at language development in infants born preterm, and how they learn new words.

Who can participate in the study?

• We are looking for children between 30 and 47 months old.
• Children born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation).
• Children with no conditions or disorders.
• English as the only language used/spoken at home.

What does my child will have to do if he/she participates in the study?

The study takes place at the Infant and Child Lab (University of Birmingham), and consists of two individual sessions that will each last approximately 60 min. In these sessions, your child will play different games, such as looking at pictures, playing with blocks, and playing with known and novel toys. You will also be asked to fill in a couple of questionnaires.

If you decide to take part in this project, and since everything is done individually, we are happy to book your appointments on the days/times that suit you (depending on availability).

Is there any reward for participating in this study?

As an appreciation of your time and participation, your child will receive a sticker after each session. Additionally, he/she will receive a book at the end of the study, and a “Junior Scientist” diploma. Travel expenses can also be reimbursed up to £5 per session.

Will my child's participation in this study be kept confidential?

All personal data will be handled as strictly confidential. Your child will be provided with an identification code that will be used instead of his/her name in the registry and collection of data.

How can I sing up or find more about this study?
If you would like more information or would like to sign up, please email the main researcher, Claudia Zuniga (CXZ612@student.bham.ac.uk), or the project supervisor Dr Andrea Krott (a.krott@bham.ac.uk).