Researchers in the Action Lab study how babies learn new motor skills. We hope to understand how babies learn to adapt actions to their physical and social environments.

We observe children on specially designed playground equipment to learn how they make decisions about action. For example, your baby might crawl and walk over slopes, sit at the edge of a gap, descend stairs or pedestals, navigate bridges using wobbly and wooden handrails, or walk with platform shoes, step-counter insoles, or while wearing a weighted vest. Our studies are fun for babies and interesting for parents.