Understanding how preschoolers learn to help others
Official title: How reasoning contributes to preschoolers’ prosocial development
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-10851735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how preschool kids learn to decide when to help others and when to focus on themselves, exploring how their choices are influenced by different situations and their own feelings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $70,300 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HD111718-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10851735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are preschool-aged children, particularly those between the ages of 3 to 6 years old.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the preschool age range or those who are not in environments conducive to social interactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how preschool-aged children develop the ability to decide when to help others and when to hold back. It focuses on the balance between their personal interests and moral considerations regarding the needs of others. By examining both individual differences and situational factors, the study aims to uncover how children's reasoning influences their prosocial behaviors during a critical developmental period. The research will involve observing children's interactions and decision-making processes in various scenarios.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of child development and inform strategies to foster healthy social behaviors in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding child development through similar observational and evaluative approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Callanan, Maureen a — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Callanan, Maureen a
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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.