How infants and toddlers learn language through their interactions with caregivers

Neural and behavioral mechanisms of controllability in infants' and toddlers' language development

NIH-funded research Princeton University · NIH-10998252

This study looks at how babies and toddlers learn to talk by watching how they interact with their caregivers, and it aims to understand how these experiences shape their language skills, especially for families from different backgrounds.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPrinceton University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10998252 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how infants and toddlers develop language skills by exploring their interactions with caregivers. It focuses on understanding how infants learn that their actions can influence communication and how this awareness affects their language development over time. The study will involve observing caregiver-infant interactions and using advanced brain imaging techniques to assess how infants process successful communication. By examining these dynamics, the research aims to identify factors that contribute to language learning disparities among different socioeconomic groups.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and toddlers aged 0-11 years who are in the process of acquiring language skills.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those who are not in the early stages of language development may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting language development in infants and toddlers, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding caregiver interactions can significantly impact language development, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Princeton, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.