Infant and Child Development Lab

Childhood research at Lancaster University: Growing Minds, Big Discoveries

Get Involved
A baby with an EEG cap on playing with some toys

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Welcome to the Infant and Child Development Lab

Welcome to the Infant and Child Development Lab (ICDL), where we investigate how children grow, learn, and thrive, exploring topics like prenatal development, language acquisition from sounds and words to sentences and understanding others, hearing, cognitive development, social interactions, and the challenges of adolescence. Research on infants is done in the well-known Lancaster Babylab. We also invite older children to our lab on the Lancaster University campus for research on language, hearing, reading and many more besides. We also conduct work by visiting nurseries and schools in the local area – you might see information about our studies coming home in your children’s school bags!

Get involved!

We invite families—from expectant parents to those with children up to 14 years old—to join our research community. By signing up for our database, you’ll be notified when a study matches your child’s age and other relevant criteria. Most studies involve just one visit to Lancaster University and typically last less than an hour. We always provide clear information about what to expect.

Register for a study

Our testimonials

A baby with an eeg cap on

August 2024

"Absolutely enjoyed our participation in the study today - though my daughter was a bit unsure on the headband (though she hates hats generally anyway)! Would love to take part in more future research. The team were super friendly and lovely."

Jemma, August 2024

A child in a ballpit

July 2024

"Massive thank you we thoroughly enjoyed our visits for the last 7 weeks!"

Lisa, July 2024

Erin wearing an EEG cap

September 2024

"My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed attending the ICLD this morning! Everybody was extremely helpful and friendly, offering to make tea or coffee, and the study was really interesting. My daughter was engaged and happy throughout the study. We even had the added bonus of receiving a free book and t-shirt for taking part!"

Sophie, September 2024

Ivy participating in an experiment run by Rachel Cheung

October 2024

Heather's daughter really enjoyed participating in the experiment run by researcher Rachel Cheung!

Wilbur sat on the knee of a researcher looking at a screen

October 2024

Heather's little boy also really enjoyed participating in the studies too!

A young boy holding a certificate whilst sat next to Beep Beep the robot

January 2025

"The kids love coming to the Babylab, the researchers are so friendly and welcoming, the kids never want the visit to end!"

Stephanie, January 2025

Anna and Elijah in the Pelican Lab

January 2025

"Thank you for being so lovely and patient with us yesterday. My child wasn’t cooperative, but he loved the new Pelican Lab and the Beep Beep robot."

Anna, January 2025

Isla holding a certificate and Beep Beep

January 2025

One of our participants really enjoyed taking part in the listening study with Beep Beep in our Pelican Labs!

Ethan playing in the ball pool with Beep Beep

January 2025

"Very welcoming and friendly. Made my son feel at ease."

Louise, January 2025

Jago holding Beep Beep

January 2025

"My little lad loves coming to the lab. It’s such a chilled environment and he’s made it comfortable before starting any activities."

Gemma, January 2025

Claire's daughter holding a certificate

January 2025

"Kat, Claudia and Branden were absolutely amazing with Ellie. She started off shy but was soon smiling from ear to ear and giggling. The experience was laid back and fun and we are very grateful for the book and voucher."

Claire, January 2025

Kat's son Alex with Beep Beep

January 2025

"My children love coming to the lab and never get tired of the ball pit, no matter their age. This is Alex after completing the Listening Study with Hearing Diagnostics."

Kat, January 2025

Our Events

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Latest news

Infant placing a hexagonal block on a peg board, surrounded by colourful toys

First measure of infant curiosity as an early trait or individual difference

Questionnaire created in the Psychology Department reliably captures differences in infants’ and toddlers’ overall curiosity and exploratory tendencies
Baby playing with laptop

Exploring baby curiosity: Lancaster study reveals how infants actively sample new information

Lancaster researchers used gaze-contingent eye-tracking to study how infants explore unfamiliar animal-like categories based on curiosity. Findings show babies alternate between focusing on one category and exploring another, with individual differences influencing learning patterns.
Professor Monaghan being interviewed for ITV

ITV Interview Psychology professor on children’s social media and technology use

ITV's Lake District & South Cumbria Reporter, Fiona Paterson, visited the Infant & Child Development Lab (formerly known as the BabyLab) at Lancaster University for an interview with Professor Padraic Monaghan. 
An experimenter playing with a toddler and the boxes

How do toddlers transfer information to others?

Academics within Lancaster’s Psychology Department have been examining how toddlers share information with other people, finding that younger children are less particular about the types of details they share.
Imag shows the executive report editors Dr AmyAtkinson (left) and Professor Uta Papen

Urgent action needed to ensure children with SEND receive support they need

The system that is supposed to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is ‘broken’, says a new Child of the North report edited by Lancaster University researchers.
Dr Marina Bazhydai, Psychology Department and Joanne Daly, Lancaster University Pre-School Centre

Scientists support creation of engaging teaching resources with Morecambe Bay Curriculum 

Scientists at Lancaster University have been working with the Morecambe Bay Curriculum to empower young people to learn about their local environment.  

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