FAQ’s about the Emory Child Study Center

I first heard about the Emory Child Study Center from moms in one of my play groups. I’ve also seen Facebook ads and postings on a parenting listserv when Emory was seeking children to participate in various studies. I signed up A.J. about a year ago and couldn’t wait to find out what kind of study he could qualify for. In April, I got a call explaining the Emory University Language and Learning Lab was studying children in his age group. I agreed to to the study right away. I wanted to answer parents frequently asked questions about our experience so you can decide if you’d like to participate.

The Emory research staff followed up with e-mails detailing directions to the lab on Emory’s campus and what to expect when we get there.

A.J. loves new experiences and learning new things, so I wasn’t concerned about him being nervous or scared. He’s familiar with Emory campus because his pediatric ophthalmologist is there.

On a rainy Thursday morning in April, we arrived at the parking lot near Emory Child Study Center where we parked in a nearby lot for free.

The study center’s lobby is clean and has plenty of educational toys. We checked in and talked to the researcher in the lobby about the study he would take part in. You can stay with your child throughout the study.

The language study took about 30 minutes where A.J. heard a variety of real, made up and foreign words and was asked what shape they meant. Watching the study was fun. I observed that he was extremely excited to do something fun. The researcher was kind, patient and kneeled down to talk to him on his level.

FAQ’s about the Emory Child Study Center

1. What does the center study? “At the Emory University Child Study Center, we study infants, children, and adolescents. We study language, learning, memory, and questions such as how children understand space and numbers. We also investigate the role that brain development plays in child development. Emory faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students conduct research studies on each of these fascinating and critical issues.”
2. Are you paid for the study? There  is no compensation for the study. A.J. was allowed to choose a toy at the end of the study as a thank you.
3. Can I stay with my child during the study? Yes, I stayed with him the entire time. There’s also a large family-sized bathroom in the study center with enough space for strollers and more than one child.
4. Do I have to pay to park at Emory? No. Research participants park in a nearby lot for free.

Emory also has its own FAQ’s page for prospective parents.

Although it took more than a year before we were called to participate in our first study, we got another call in May for a second study.

Would you allow your children to participate in a project at the Emory University Child Study Center?
Why or why not?

Follow the Emory Child Study Center on Facebook to learn more.

Disclosure: I received no compensation to allow A.J. to participate in this study or to share my experience.