Why is our research important?
The number of children who have to navigate the implications of multilingualism in the U.S. has increased, yet it is not very well understood how this affects the way that these children process their world. Our research aims to understand how bilingualism impacts the way that children learn as well as the relationship between their different linguistic environments and the neural connections that they form.
What will my child do?
Right now, our current studies are done in an online format where you and your child either complete questionnaire’s using the platform Qualtrics or join a Zoom meeting with a research assistant to watch a short video. Future studies will involve coming in-person to the lab, where children will be presented with a series of tasks.
What is fNIRS? How does it work?
fNIRS stands for Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, which is a neuroimaging device used to look at the superficial layer of the brain called the cortex. The way that fNIRS works is that it uses near-infrared waves via source probes to detect oxygenated hemoglobin activity in regions of the brain, which are detected via detectors. The information from a source and a detector are combined into channels to view the activity of specific parts of the brain cortex and the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin present in those regions during certain tasks.
What happens after my child participates?
Our lab will give you and your child a certificate thanking you for your participation as well as a compensatory gift. Once the results from our study has been published, we send our paper to the families who participated.
How and when will by family be contacted for a study?
Our lab sends emails to parents who have children within the age ranges for our studies and the parents who have shown interest in our lab.
Directions to the ChiLDS lab?
Our lab is located in the SEA building in the UT Austin campus. Directions are posted in our “Directions” subheading under the “For Parents” tab.
Do you pay people to participate in your studies?
Upon completion of our current studies, parents receive a small compensatory gift to express our gratitude!
What is participating in a study like?
Participation currently takes place filling out questionnaires or joining a 15 minute Zoom call with our research assistants. Future studies will involve coming to the SEA building in the UT Austin campus.
