Frequently Asked Questions
What are your hours?
Our hours of operation are Monday – Thursday from 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM, and Friday – Saturday from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. We are occasionally available outside these hours as well. For our most up-to-date availability, please reference our scheduling link.
How long will our visit to the center be?
Most studies last about 20-30 minutes, including arrival, consent form completion, and running the study itself. If your child is participating in multiple studies with us, your visit may be longer.
Do we need to visit more than once?
No, our studies take only one visit! But most parents look forward to visiting us again. If you are too, we will contact you again as soon as your child is the right age for another study.
Can I bring a sibling along?
Yes! Young children are welcome to play in the CRC lobby or in our “Sibling Room,” where they will be accompanied by a research assistant while you are engaged in a study with another child.
Is an infant too young to participate?
While our lab does not currently conduct studies with children under 4, we would love to have your child participate once they are eligible! We hope you’ll add your child to the CRC Database (online form) and we will contact you as soon as your child is the right age for one of our studies.
What will my child do during the study?
Your child will help us learn how children conceptualize reality! In a session with a trained child development researcher, children usually play a game, listen to a story, or are asked to answer some questions. You are welcome to observe the entirety of your child’s session in one of our observation rooms. With your permission, we’ll audio record your child’s answers.
Will we be paid for participating?
You’ll receive a small toy from our prize box as a token of our gratitude (more information on compensation found here).
Where do I park?
We offer free parking, conveniently located just steps from the entrance to our center. We will send you a map and detailed directions to help you locate us. (See Visiting the Center for step-by-step parking information.)
Do you evaluate my child’s cognitive development?
No, we do not evaluate or ‘score’ your child. If you are concerned about your child’s cognitive development, we recommend contacting a qualified medical professional for further evaluation.
What do you do with the information from the studies?
Our goal is to better understand how children perceive reality. We are delighted to share our results! We present our research in scientific publications, at academic conferences, and in the media. And, if you give us permission to audio record your child’s session, we will happily share the audio of your child with you!