Understanding how infants learn and develop language skills
Official title: Psychometrics and Predictive Validity of Infant Learning
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11094920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how babies between 6 and 18 months learn to understand how their actions affect the world around them, which is important for their thinking and talking skills, and it aims to help us find ways to support those who might need extra help as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $635,818 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109221-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 6 to 18 months who are being monitored for language and cognitive development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 18 months or those without concerns regarding cognitive or language development may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how infants aged 6 to 18 months learn to connect their actions with changes in their environment, which is crucial for their cognitive and language development. Using operant conditioning tasks, researchers will assess individual differences in learning and how these differences may predict future cognitive abilities. The study aims to provide insights into the consistency of learning across different tasks and developmental stages, which could inform early interventions for developmental delays. By focusing on infants, the research seeks to establish foundational knowledge about learning processes during a critical period of development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions for infants at risk of developmental delays, enhancing their cognitive and language outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using operant conditioning to assess learning in infants is established, the specific focus on individual differences and their predictive validity for cognitive outcomes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colombo, John a. — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Colombo, John a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
KC Youth Violence Prevention Center: A comprehensive plan to reduce youth violence
A program in Kansas City aims to reduce youth violence and deaths by applying a coordinated, community-focused approach.
-
Gene regulation and the genetic basis of complex traits (how our genes influence survival and trait differences)
Researchers are studying how genetic differences that affect gene regulation contribute to when and how people survive and reproduce, especially in natural populations.
-
Finding new treatments and understanding how congenital glycosylation disorders work
A research project aims to uncover how certain congenital glycosylation disorders develop and identify existing drugs that could help treat DPAGT1-CDG.
-
How ADP-ribosylation controls our antiviral defenses
Researchers are studying a cellular modification called ADP-ribosylation and how it helps the body fight viruses, with a focus on how coronaviruses interact with this process.
-
Chemoenzymatic synthesis to make biologically active molecules using enzyme libraries
A scientist team will develop enzyme-based methods to make complex drug-like molecules that could help fight cancer and other diseases.
-
DNA breaks and repair in opioid addiction
This project looks at how DNA damage and repair in brain cells may influence opioid addiction and relapse in people and animal models.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.