Understanding how infants learn and develop language skills
Psychometrics and Predictive Validity of Infant Learning
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 ID | NIH-11094920 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants aged 6 to 18 months who are being monitored for language and cognitive development.
Not a fit: Patients who are older than 18 months or those without concerns regarding cognitive or language development may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Lawrence, United States
- University of Kansas Lawrence — Lawrence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colombo, John a. — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Colombo, John a.
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 below.