You can now participate in our research from home!

While Covid-19 means we can't be in a lab, we're still finding ways to understand how babies and children learn and develop.

We have created some fun studies and experiments that can be carried out online from the comfort of your home. All you need is a device, an internet connection, and a small human!

We currently have the following studies for babies and parents:

  • Baby Body Perception study – For babies aged 5 and 9 months
  • How am I feeling? – For babies aged 6-8 months
  • Does a smartphone disrupt play time? – For babies aged 9-10 months
  • Does your baby know what you are thinking? – for babies aged 18 months

If you have a baby or are pregnant, and would like to receive information about future studies, you can still submit your details to our database and we'll contact you if a suitable study comes up.

Studies for babies and parents

How am I feeling? – For babies aged 6-8 months

We are looking for 6-to-8-month-old babies to participate in an online study on how babies learn to interpret their own feelings.

In this study, we are looking at how caregivers and their babies interact while reading a story and playing together.

We will also ask you to complete a questionnaire about your body, your mood and your baby.


Take part now
How do babies understand what they're feeling?)
How do babies understand what they're feeling?

Does a smartphone disrupt play time? – For babies aged 9-10 months

Have you ever wondered how your baby responds when you use your phone?

We are looking for babies to take part in an online study that explores how babies behave when their caregiver uses their phone during play interactions.

The study lasts around 30 minutes during which you will be asked to use your phone in different ways whilst interacting with your baby. We will record a video of you and your baby during these tasks. There will also be a short questionnaire to complete at the end of the study.


Take part now

Does your baby know what you are thinking? – for babies aged 18 months

We are running our first ever online study on how babies learn to figure out that people can change views about a situation.

We are investigating if infants are already able from a very young age to understand that other people may have a different belief about a situation than the baby himself/herself.

The study lasts about 10 minutes and we will show your baby some videos – what a great way to keep your little scientist busy! We will also ask you (the parent) to help us live-code your baby’s looking - so this can be fun for everyone! Take part now and search for the study “Does your baby know what you are thinking?”

Does your baby know what you are thinking?)
Does your baby know what you are thinking?
A photo of a baby standing up and reaching for some bubbles floating in front of it, with "University of Essex Babylab" in red and purple text on the left.
Take part in our research

We are always looking for parents interested in taking part in our studies with their babies! If you are pregnant, or have a baby or a child under 3 years old, and you are interested in taking part in our research, please sign-up today.

Take part