Mission

The SPARK (Science of Perception, Attention, & Representation in Kids) Lab is dedicated to understanding how fundamental cognitive processes enable infants and toddlers to transform their experiences into learning opportunities. Our mission is advancing scientific knowledge about early childhood development to generate insights that can inform education, policy, and caregiving practices.

Programming

We are a developmental science research laboratory at Oberlin College studying cognitive development in early childhood. Our work investigates cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and spatial skills, as well as how these abilities support learning in real world contexts. As a newly established lab, we are building partnerships with community organizations while developing research, outreach, and educational resources that advance scientific knowledge and support children and families. As the lab develops, we will provide opportunities for families to learn about and participate in developmental science research. We are also exploring opportunities to offer vision screening services for preverbal children using Teller Acuity Cards. These efforts would complement our research mission while supporting early identification and referral for children who may benefit from additional evaluation.

More Information

Website https://sparklab.oberlin.edu

Contact Email sparkchildlab@gmail.com