 News
20th March 2006
Babylab to research how babies learn
A research project has been set up to find out more about
how babies learn and acquire knowledge.
A team of researchers at the Babylab at the University of Manchester
will look at the link between learning and temperament development in
very young children and are asking parents to bring their babies forward
to assist with the project.
It is hoped the research may aid in the understanding of developmental
disorders in young children as well as provide key clues to the debate
amongst psychologists about what is inherited and what is learned. .
Research leader Dr Sylvain Sirois said his team will be focusing on a
crucial stage in a babies' development .
"In particular a lot happens between five and six months of age, and
we want to examine this further by looking at changes in everything from
babies' perceptual learning to their temperament during this crucial period,"
Dr Sirois said.
"We hope this will give us a window into the mind of babies before than
can tell us about what they know and understand."
Babies who take part will be shown a series of patterns on a computer
screen and monitored by the research team who will analyse the way they
digest the images.
They will also look at what happens when the child gets bored.
"Babies get bored relatively quickly when shown repeated inconsequential
events, but they can start to display a renewed interest when events change.
"This is a sign they have learned and gives us a unique window into their
mind - by manipulating what they see we can identify what they distinguish
as different and monitor how this ability develops."
The researchers say the babies will stay with their parents all the time.
Volunteers willing to take part in the trials should contact Emma Wilson
on 0161 275 1965
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