Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of research takes places at the BCDL? What is the purpose of the research?
- Why is this research important?
- How can I participate?
- How long does a visit usually take?
- Will I receive the results of the study?
- Who will see the research?
- Can I bring my other children with me?
- Can I stay with my child during the study?
- Will I receive advice about my child’s development?
- What should I do if I need to cancel?
- When are appointments scheduled?
- What are the risks of the study?
- How can I donate to the BCDL?
- Are there any student research positions available at the BCDL?
What kind of research takes places at the BCDL? What is the purpose of the research?
At the BCDL, we are interested in learning more about how infants and toddlers learn about the world around them. We typically run studies that have a large number of children of approximately the same age and then we look at the performance of the group as a whole. This gives us a good idea of what infants and young children can and cannot do at certain ages, which helps us learn how children develop generally.
All of the studies that we do revolve around 3 major areas – memory development, development of number knowledge, and language acquisition. For instance, we ask questions like: “How many objects can kids remember?” “How do young infants begin to learn about number?” and “What strategies/situations work best for preschoolers to learn new words?”.
Why is this research important?
This research helps to inform parents, educators, other researchers, and policy makers about how children develop. When you read in parent’s magazines that children typically know XYZ by a certain age, they are usually referencing work done in laboratories such as the Brandywine Child Development Lab.
How can I participate?
To participate or to find out more about the work that we do here, please feel free to fill out this form or click “Sign up!” below, email us at bcdl@psu.edu, or call us at 610-891-1294. Please feel free to contact the Director of the Brandywine Child Development Lab, Dr. Jennifer Zosh at jzosh@psu.edu or 610-892-1438.
How long does a visit usually take?
While our studies typically only last less than 15 minutes, we usually schedule appointments for about 45 minutes. We will meet you at a reserved parking space on the Penn State Brandywine campus and bring you to our lab space, located on the 2nd floor of the Main Building. We have a waiting room with toys for your child (or children!) to play with while we explain the study, complete paperwork, and answer your questions. We also take the time to play with your child so that he/she gets acquainted with us before the study starts.
After we get to know you and your child, we have an adjacent room where we will complete the study. You are with your child the entire time. All of our studies are designed to be short and enjoyable to kids.
Will I receive the results of the study?
Because we are interested in infant and child development generally, we do not look at the results of any child individually. However, we are excited to share with you the results of the studies we have going on in the lab, so approximately once a year we send out an electronic newsletter to any of the families that have participated.
Who will see the research?
The results of this research will be presented at academic conferences, in journal articles, research presentations, and in the classroom. These results will not include any information about your child specifically; it will only include information about general infant or toddler performance.
Can I bring my other children with me?
Yes! We are excited to meet the entire family! You are welcome to bring spouses, friends, and other children. We just ask that you let us know if anyone else will be joining you so that we can have a lab member there to play with a young sibling or friend while the study itself is going on.
Can I stay with my child during the study?
Yes! You can stay with your child throughout the entire visit. We may ask for you to sit back and observe during the actual study, but you are with your child the entire time and can stop the study at any time.
Will I receive advice about my child’s development?
Because we are not pediatricians or clinicians, we cannot offer individually tailored advice about your child’s development. However, we are more than happy to share with you the past research that motivates our current research and our ongoing findings. We are so impressed by all that infants, toddler, and young children can do and are happy to share with you what we know!
What should I do if I need to cancel?
We completely understand that each and every family has to balance many obligations and that sometimes things come up (including sleepless nights or runny noses!). We just ask that you call the Center at 610-892-1294 as soon as you know that you have to cancel. If possible, we can reschedule your visit or we can wait until another time for you to visit the Center.
When are appointments scheduled?
Appointments are typically scheduled Monday-Friday between 9-5. We occasionally offer weeknight and weekend hours, so if you are interested but cannot come during business hours, let us know!
What are the risks of the study?
Because all of our studies are designed to be fun games, there are no risks in participating in this research beyond those experienced in everyday life. For instance, we may play a hide and seek game that is very similar to games you likely play at home. Or, we may show your child some pictures on a computer screen and monitor how much your child likes to look at them. Nothing that we do is invasive.
How can I donate to the BCDL?
If you are interested in donating materials, money, or expertise to the Brandywine Child Development Lab, please contact the Director, Dr. Jennifer Zosh at 610-892-1438.
Are there any student research positions available at the BCDL?
Yes! We are very interested in working with student researchers. The Director of the Laboratory, Dr. Jennifer Zosh, participated in undergraduate research during her career at the University of Delaware (in another fantastic developmental lab, the Infant Language Project, under the direction of Dr. Roberta Golinkoff) and is passionate about showing students the exciting world of research. If you are a student (high school, undergraduate, or graduate) and are interested in exploring possible opportunities at the Brandywine Child Development Lab at Penn State Brandywine, please email Dr. Zosh at jzosh@psu.edu or call her at 610-892-1438.