In the Language Lab, we study how babies and toddlers learn language, focusing on how children master the grammar (syntax) and meaning (semantics) of their native language.

Some of our studies focus on the very first steps in language acquisition, in the first year of life. We have discovered that even before babies start to talk, they are actively working out the basic patterns of their language. Other studies look at how young toddlers make the transition from their first words into the full complexities of language. In a typical study, we observe while children listen to language-like sounds and watch interesting animations. By design, all of our studies are fun and comfortable, and take less than an hour.