The University of Sydney Seedling Lab, Brennan MacCallum Building A18, Manning Road, The University of Sydney, Sydney (2026)

Why do children behave, think, and feel they way they do? At the Sydney SEEDLing lab we are trying to answer these fundamental questions. We are co-directed by Doctors Caroline Moul and Micah Goldwater of the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney. Dr. Moul examines how individual differences in children's genes, family environments, and basic learning processes lead to differences in ch

ildren's personalities and emotional well-being. She examines both the basic explanations for the natural variation amongst children, and how to better develop therapies for families to improve mental health. For more information:
http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/caroline.moul.php

Dr. Goldwater focuses on how children think about the world, and how that changes as they learn. This research examines the interplay of how children can learn through their own exploration, and how they learn directly from their parents, teachers, and peers with the aim to improve education in both informal and formal school settings. For more information:
http://sydney.edu.au/science/people/micah.goldwater.php

We would love for your child to come and participate in one or more of our studies! Our studies typically have children play a learning game with one or two research assistants, and last from 15 minutes (for the youngest children) to an hour (for older children and young adolescents). We have free parking dedicated to the lab right outside our building on campus. We are currently conducting research with children aged 2- to 12-years-old. If you are interested, please get in touch with our lab manager:
[email protected]

24/02/2026

EXCITING NEWS! Our child learning study has opened up to children ages 6-12 years old.

Join us online for a Zoom session where we are exploring how children understand the world through storybooks. Sessions are 45 minutes, fun, and families receive a REIMBURSEMENT.

✅ This study has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee - Ethics ID 2024/HE001342.
📩 Learn more + sign up here: https://shorturl.at/PcY23

16/12/2025

🌟 Parents of kids in Year 1 or Year 5—we’d love your help!

Join a University of Sydney study exploring how children understand the world through storybooks. Sessions are 45 minutes, fun, and families receive a reimbursement.

✅ This study has been approved by the University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee - Ethics ID 2024/HE001342.
📩 Learn more + sign up here: https://shorturl.at/KJNWV

03/05/2025

Hi,

We are a developmental psychology research lab, and

we are currently looking for 5- and 6-year-olds to participate in one of our research studies. We are offering $30 amazon vouchers as an incentive. The study runs for approx. 30mins, and parents can stay with their child while they are participating.

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Study Info:

Understanding Children’s Learning Styles

(Relational Transfer Study)

Children learn in different ways, and how children learn changes as they grow. This research aims to take a closer look at the basic cognitive mechanisms underlying how children learn from 18-months of age to 10-years-of-age. We are particularly interested in the interplay of different kinds of learning, for example, focusing on what they can directly perceive vs. thinking abstractly, and how different children have their own “style” of learning, relying on one form of learning or another in different kinds of learning activities.

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For more info please email: [email protected]

Our lab is open weekdays and on weekends

06/04/2025

Understanding Children’s Learning Styles

(Relational Transfer Study)

Children learn in different ways, and how children learn changes as they grow. This research aims to take a closer look at the basic cognitive mechanisms underlying how children learn from 18-months of age to 10-years-of-age. We are particularly interested in the interplay of different kinds of learning, for example, focusing on what they can directly perceive vs. thinking abstractly, and how different children have their own “style” of learning, relying on one form of learning or another in different kinds of learning activities. This particular research study we have nearly completed researching, and currently we are only seeking a few more 5-6 year olds.

Please email: [email protected]

02/02/2025

03/01/2025

Hi, we have three different developmental psychology research studies running these summer holidays.

1. Links Between Past, Present, & Future

A research study about young people’s abilities to see links between past, present, and future events. Participating in the study involves creating a timeline of past and future events and filling out an online survey. Looking for 10-15-year-old participants for this study.

2. How Children Learn from Narratives and Computer Activities

This study will be examining how children (6-14 year olds) might best learn science. The findings may indicate how a child can best learn complex scientific theories at a younger age than they are currently being taught in schools. This study takes approx. 45 minutes through a Zoom Meeting.

3. Understanding Children’s Learning Styles

Children learn in different ways, and how children learn changes as they grow. This research aims to take a closer look at the basic cognitive mechanisms underlying how children learn from 18-months of age to 10-years-of-age. We are particularly interested in the interplay of different kinds of learning, for example, focusing on what they can directly perceive vs. thinking abstractly, and how different children have their own “style” of learning, relying on one form of learning or another in different kinds of learning activities. This particular research study we have nearly completed researching, and currently we are only seeking a few more 5-6 year olds.

If you are interested in any of these studies, please contact Robyn for more information: [email protected]

Address

Brennan MacCallum Building A18, Manning Road, The University Of Sydney
Sydney, NSW
2006

Website

https://sydney.edu.au/science/psychology/lab/seedling/

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