What to Expect:
A Peek into Your Child’s Developmental Journey through
The NURTURE Study will monitor your child's development through the first three years from multiple different perspectives. Please see below for more information on all study components. The timing of visits below reflects what participation may look like but we are happy to work with every family for flexible scheduling. Childcare is available for siblings with advance notice.
Eye Tracking
Frequency:
0-6 months
9 months
12, 16, 21, and 30 months (combined with clinical assessment visit)
During each visit, your baby will watch short videos on a screen while we use a camera to track where they look to understand how babies perceive the world around them. Your baby will also have a chance to play and interact with you over video!
Clinical Assessments
Frequency:
12, 16, 21, and 30 months (combined with eye tracking)
Clinicians will engage with your child through play to assess their thinking, speech, social skills, and everyday behaviors. You'll also fill out forms and questionnaires about your child's development, behavior, and family information.
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MRI
Frequency: Three MRIs in the first six months
We will take pictures of your baby’s brain using a safe imaging method called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is suitable for all ages, to measure brain growth over the first 6 months of life. To get clear pictures, we’ll perform the MRI during your baby’s natural sleep.
Vocal Recordings
Frequency:
Monthly from 0-36 months of age
We will record your baby’s sounds during their first 3 years to study their early speech development. Each month, you'll use a small recording device, placed in a special romper, to capture your child's sounds at home for a full day.
EEG
Frequency: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age (combined with clinical assessment and eye tracking)
We will measure brain activity by placing a comfortable hairnet on both you and your baby. After setup, you will be given 20 minutes of active playtime to interact as usual as brain activity data is collected. This process is designed to be as natural and engaging as possible for you and your baby.
Study Schedule Timeline
