Kent Child Development Unit

08/12/2025

We are currently looking for children to take part in a quick zoom-based study on remembering sentences. Spaces are limited so please do register your interest as soon as possible if your child would like to take part!

27/02/2025

We are looking for teachers currently working in mainstream, non-private primary schools in England and Wales who have 2 years plus experience of teaching Key Stage 2.
Focus group members will be helping to shape a free, easy to use, pick up and go programme aimed at supporting all children to develop their social communication skills.
To find out more email [email protected]

13/08/2024

**Next week: families can learn about our studies whilst participating in a range of family fun sports at Thanet Games!**

Come and visit us at the Thanet Games on Monday 19th August and Thursday 22nd August 4pm-8pm.

Come along, have a chat with us about the studies we are running over summer for children aged 5 months to 16 years old!

For more information please email us ([email protected]) or message us on Facebook.

30/07/2024

**This Sunday: Families can participate and learn about our studies at the Harper Cafe!**

We will be a the Harper Cafe in Ashford Sunday 4th August 9:30-12:30.

Children aged 7-11 will be able to take part in one of our studies at the cafe and will recieve a £15 voucher for their time.

Come along, have a have a chat with us over a coffee/cake about the studies we are running over summer for children aged 5 months to 16 years.

For more information please email us (details below) or message us on Facebook.

23/07/2024

** Summer holiday activity for 7-8-year-olds **

Would your child be interested in participating in a 30-minute session at the KCDU in exchange for a £5 voucher? Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Communication study’ to express your interest or find out more.

We would also really appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with other parents who may be interested 😊

20/06/2024

*WORDS AND INTERESTS IN 10-11 YR OLD BOYS, 15 MINUTE ZOOM STUDY: £15 AMAZON VOUCHER*

Must be able to speak fluent English and have no known/suspected difficulties with hearing, attention or social communication.

Email [email protected] or message us on Facebook for more info.

Please share this opportunity with other parents who may be interested!

26/05/2024

Looking for something to do this half term? Join us on Tuesday 28 May at Brogdale Collections (Faversham, ME13 8XZ) for a free event offered in collaboration with Brogdale and Kent Youth County Council.

The day will include
🌳 Orchard tours
🌱Learning about Brogdale’s mission to protect biodiversity with its collection of 2500+ fruit species!
🌍 Focus groups, crafts and activities for all ages to share ideas for a sustainable future
🥪🧃Lunch and refreshments

Message us here with your name, age, and any dietary restrictions if you’d like to attend!

23/05/2024

** Half-term opportunity for 8-9 years olds**

On Thursday 30th and Friday 31st of May (half-term) we are running a 30-min study for 8-9 year olds at the KCDU- would your child like to take part?

For this study, we’d like 8-9 year olds who speak fluent English and (for this particular study) have no difficulties with hearing, attention or social communication.

Your child will have a chat with another child their age at the Child Development Lab at the University of Kent. If you’d like, your child may come along with a friend and they can chat together, but if not, your child will be paired with another child who signs up. Unfortunately siblings cannot chat together in this study, but you may sign up siblings and they will be paired with other children who are participating.

In return for your child’s participation, you will receive a £10 Amazon voucher (per child). If you’re interested or would like more info, please email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.
We would appreciate if you could share this opportunity with other parents who may be interested!

13/12/2023

** Opportunity for 7-8-year-olds **

Would your child be interested in participating in a 30-minute session at the KCDU? Email [email protected] to find out more!

We would also really appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with other parents who may be interested 😊

24/08/2023

We are still taking bookings for our film and child imagination study!

A new study investigating the influence of film on open-mindedness and imagination in 8-12 year-olds has opened at the Kent Child Development Unit. We are recruiting children to come into the Child Development lab at the University of Kent (Canterbury) where they will watch a 30-minute film and complete a series of games and computer tasks measuring their creativity, imagination and open-mindedness. This study lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. In return, participants will receive £15 and a Young Scientist certificate.

If you think your child would like to take part, please email [email protected] to find out more!

New film and child imagination study!

A new study investigating the influence of film on open-mindedness and imagination in 8-12 year-olds has opened at the Kent Child Development Unit. We are recruiting children to come into the Child Development lab at the University of Kent (Canterbury) where they will watch a 30-minute film and complete a series of games and computer tasks measuring their creativity, imagination and open-mindedness. This study lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. In return, participants will receive £15 and a Young Scientist certificate.

If you think your child would like to take part, please email [email protected] to find out more!

24/08/2023

***Online study for 5- and 6-year-olds!***

We are happy to invite 5- and 6-year-olds to our online study involving a 15-minute Zoom session with a researcher from the University of Kent. This study aims to support children's moral judgments and prosocial behaviour by imagining alternative possibilities.

Children will receive a £5 book token and a young scientist certificate for their participation.

For more information and to book, please email [email protected] with the subject-line “Counterfactual Study”.

01/08/2023