Early Experiences Research Lab

Our Mission

Our lab seeks to better understand how young children's experiences with parents and other caregivers during the first few years of life have a long-term impact on their development. Our research involves diverse groups of children, including children children who have been adopted and children exposed to prenatal stress. We examine children’s behavioral outcomes—such as their language abilities, executive functions, and emotion regulation strategies—as well as how their bodies and brains respond to different situations. Through our research, we aim to generate new information that can be applied to positively impact the lives of children and families.

Current Research

We are currently recruiting Utah families who recently adopted a child to participate in a brief survey regarding the experience of adoption and how COVID-19 may have impacted their adoption. Click here to learn more.