Worlds within words
About this research
Our aim is to explore how we interact with children in social contexts and how this relates to children’s social-cognitive development. Understanding these relationships may help us better support children’s social and emotional development during middle-childhood.
Who can participate
You're eligible to participate in this study if you're a parent or primary caregiver with a child aged between 7 and 9 years old.
What’s involved
You and your child will be asked to:
- attend a single in-person 35 minute session at the Early Cognitive Development Centre (ECDC) Laboratory at UQ St Lucia, where you'll be in the same room throughout.
You'll be asked to:
- complete questionnaires about how you would talk to your child in a range of everyday situations, and your child’s social experiences, at the same time your child completes a series of short, interactive tasks.
Your child will be asked to:
- complete 4 short tasks: a picture vocabulary task, an emotions task, a social understanding task, and a short questionnaire about loneliness.
All tasks are well-established in research with children of this age and do not require you or your child to discuss sensitive personal experiences.
Benefits of participating
You'll be enetered into a draw to win one of five $50 Coles Myer vouchers. Your child will also receive a small gift and a certificate of participation.
How to participate
If you meet the eligibility criteria and you’re interested in participating, register your interest.
Ethics approval
This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No.2026/HE010716].
Contact
For any questions, contact Breanna Cummins: