For Parents

We want to thank all of the many parents and toddlers who have taken time out of their busy schedules to participate in our past studies! Your involvement has been invaluable and has contributed to our understanding of how social skills develop in young children.

General Information

Scheduled at your convenience and when your child is well-rested
You can take a break at any time for any reason
Free snack for toddler, or bring your own
You stay with your child at all times
Young siblings stay with you
Older siblings can play with a qualified assistant in a room nearby
Small gift given to toddler in appreciation of his/her help
Reserved parking at no cost

What happens in our studies?

You will be greeted by one of our staff in the parking lot behind Sennott Square and given a parking pass. You and your child will be escorted to our playroom where there will be toys for your child to play with while one of our researchers (graduate and undergraduate students) will explain everything that will happen.

Each study is a little different. They all involve playing with toys and a researcher. Some studies involve another child of the same age and sex as your child. We usually prefer if parents simply watch what's going on, but sometimes we need your help, too. Some studies will involve changing rooms from time to time, but you will remain with your child at all times. We videotape children's behavior during the entire play session for scoring later. This permits us to focus on the child during the play session.

Each part of the session is meant to show us what children of different ages do or don't do when given particular opportunities. Sometimes we are pretty sure your child should be able to do something, given his or her age, but other times we are pretty sure your child will not be able to do something. We want to know what children of different ages will do naturally, with no help from you or other adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the toys clean?

Yes, we clean and disinfect all toys after each play session.

What if I have to change plans?

We understand that sometimes plans change and you will need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Because we are expecting you, please call and let us know at 412-624-4957. We will call you the day before your play date as a reminder, so you can also tell us then. If you get stuck in traffic, your child wakes up sick, you get called in to work, or you have an emergency, call us at the number above.

What if my child cries?

No problem. We will determine if there is something we can do to soothe your child, such as offering juice or a snack, bringing in an interesting toy to play with, or leaving the room for a few moments so you can have private time with your child. Sometimes a bottle, snack, or favorite toy that you bring can help soothe your child. We encourage you to do whatever you think would help make your child feel more comfortable. Most children have a wonderful time playing with our researchers in our play rooms. If a child cries frequently during the play session, it could just mean that he or she is tired or not feeling well. We might end the session early and reschedule for another day.

What if my child is shy?

No problem. Sometimes it can take a few minutes for your child to become comfortable in a new situation. We have a warm-up period at the beginning of our play session when your child may prefer to sit on your lap or play very near to you until he or she feels at ease. Within a few minutes, most children venture away from their parent to explore the toys and play with our friendly researchers (graduate and undergraduate students). If your child seems reluctant to play with the toys, we may ask you to play with him or her for a few minutes to help with the transition. You will remain in the room with your child at all times.

What if my child is uncooperative?

Toddlers can sometimes be uncooperative; we understand and expect this. The "terrible twos" are normal, and they often start well before age two. For example, we may need to put one toy away and get another toy out, and your child may not wish to give up the toy. We usually try to accommodate the toddler's wishes as much as possible, and we have lots of different ways to encourage young children. For example, most of the time our researchers can entice your child with the new toys by playing with them while your child watches, and then we can easily take the old toy away. Sometimes, though, we may need to ask for your help.

What if my child can do something but he or she won't do it when you ask?

Since we are always looking for age differences in children's skills, we don't expect that your child will be able to do everything we ask. Sometimes your child will surprise you either by doing something you didn't think he or she could do, or by not doing something you've seen him or her do many times. We usually want to see what the child will do without your help. If you think your child's behavior was unusual in any way during our play session, we would like you to tell us when we're all finished.

How hard is it to find your building?

It's very easy. We are in Sennott Square, at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street in Oakland. We are located in the same building as Panera Bread. If you know where the Original Hot Dog Shop is ("the O"), we're right across the street. We are also about two blocks from the Cathedral of Learning. Click here for a map and detailed directions. We would also be very happy to assist you with directions over the telephone if you get lost or need additional help.

Want to sign your toddler up to play with us?

Looking for a morning of fun for your toddler? All of our procedures are play-based and look at your child's naturally occurring behavior. We have lots of fun toys and interesting things for your child to do, and parents are often surprised and delighted by what their children do in our playrooms. (Call us at 412-624-4957 to learn about our current studies or click here to sign up.)

If your child is between 12 and 30 months of age and you are interested, please contact us. We look forward to telling you more about what we do and answering any other questions you might have. If your child is too young or too old for our studies, he or she can still participate in other research at the Infant and Toddler Development Center.

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