UoM Child Study Centre

Home
United Kingdom
Manchester
UoM Child Study Centre

At the Child Study Centre we study how children learn to talk, play and make friends.

If you are interested in child development and have children aged 0-10, join our database here: https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_eb7dORdBauqGgSy

07/09/2026

🧩 Monday Methods: Behavioural Tasks

Many child development studies use games and activities to learn about how children think, learn, remember, and solve problems.

From puzzles to picture-matching games, these tasks give researchers valuable insights into children's development.

✨ Fun for children
✨ Designed for research
✨ Everything feels like play!

28/08/2026

✨Friday Fact✨

Observation allows researchers to see these moments unfold naturally, helping us understand how children learn from one another through conversation, collaboration, and play.

In a recent paper, our researchers Dr Bahar Köymen and Owen Waddington explored how children solve problems together and found that collaboration can support the development of reasoning skills in early childhood.

💬 Sharing ideas, listening to others, and explaining our thinking are all important building blocks for learning.

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rstb/article/381/1948/20240447/481361/Collaborative-reasoning-and-problem-solving-in

24/08/2026

Monday Methods: Observation 🧐

Sometimes the simplest research method is to watch and listen.

Observation helps researchers understand how children play, communicate, solve problems, and interact with others in everyday situations.

✅ Natural ✅ Child-friendly ✅ Helps us see behaviour in real time

Children often see observation studies as just another part of play!

21/08/2026

✨Friday Fact ✨
Ever noticed your child looking at you before trying something new? 👀

This is called social referencing. Babies and young children use adults' facial expressions and reactions as important clues about how to respond to unfamiliar situations.

Every smile, look of excitement, and reassuring expression helps children learn about the world. 💛

17/08/2026

Monday Methods: Eye Tracking 👀

Eye tracking helps researchers see what children are looking at and for how long.

Using a special camera, we can learn what catches a child's attention while they watch images, videos, or play simple games.

✅ Safe ✅ Non-contact ✅ Child-friendly

Most children simply see it as watching and playing!

14/08/2026

✨Friday Fact ✨
Babies are learning about the people around them from their very first months of life. Researchers use EEG to explore how babies' brains process familiar and unfamiliar faces, helping us better understand early social development. 🧠👶

10/08/2026

Monday Methods: EEG🧠

This little cap helps researchers learn how babies' brains respond to the world around them.

✨ It doesn't hurt. ✨ It doesn't give off any signals. ✨ It's just measuring the brain's natural activity.

As you can see, many babies are perfectly happy wearing it while they play and explore!

07/08/2026

✨ Friday Fact ✨ 🧠 | Nature vs Nurture Series

For the final week of our Nature vs Nurture series, we're exploring Attachment Theory, developed by John Bowlby.

This theory suggests that secure relationships with caregivers support children's social and emotional development. When children feel safe, supported, and understood, they may be more confident exploring the world around them.

❤️ Attachment isn't just about parents. Children can form healthy attachments with a range of important adults, including grandparents, siblings, and early years practitioners.

✨ This idea is reflected in the EYFS Key Person approach, which recognises the importance of consistent, supportive relationships for children's wellbeing and learning.

As with all the theories in this series, this is just one perspective. Most researchers agree that children's development is shaped by a combination of both nature 🧬 and nurture 🏡.

04/08/2026

🌟Tuesday Tip 🌟 Make walks more engaging!

Looking for a free summer holiday activity? A simple walk can become an exciting adventure with a little imagination.

Try a colour hunt, count things you see along the way, listen for different sounds, or become nature detectives together. These small activities can help keep children engaged while encouraging curiosity about the world around them.

What is your child's favourite thing to spot on a walk? 👇

31/07/2026

✨Friday Fact ✨ | Nature vs Nurture Series

This week we're exploring Humanist Theory, developed by Abraham Maslow.

Maslow suggested that children's basic needs - such as food, sleep, safety, and loving relationships - provide the foundation for learning and development.

This idea is reflected in the EYFS, which recognises that children learn best when they are healthy, safe, secure, and supported by positive relationships.

While this theory places a strong emphasis on children's experiences and environment (nurture), development is influenced by both nature 🧬 and nurture 🏡.

Address

School Of Psychological Sciences, University Of Manchester, Coupland Building 1, Coupland Street
Manchester
M139PL

Website

https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/child-study-centre/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UoM Child Study Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Manchester?