Deep OCEAN

Scheduling will take place via email or over the phone, and we will find a time that works best for you to accommodate your family. Once you and your child have been scheduled to participate in session 1, you will receive a package in the mail that includes a LENA device, picture book, and participation instructions for the study. Each session will take approximately 2-2.5 hrs. 

Session 1

You will answer survey questions, read a book with your child and your child will play fun, interactive picture and number games. You will use the LENA device at home after the virtual session. You and your child will receive $30. 

Session 2

1-2 weeks after you participate in session 1, session 2 will take place in Burton Hall Room 113 in the Smith College MIND Lab. It will include using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) scan and other behavioral tasks including games on an iPad. Your child will receive $60 and you will receive $25.

Additional Sessions

You and your child will have the opportunity to return for up to 3 more study visits at Smith College throughout the course of 12-18 months. Sessions 3, 4, & 5  will include using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) scan and other behavioral tasks including games on an iPad. For each additional session your child will receive $60 and you will receive $25.

SPARK Study

The SPARK Study is investigating how the parenting and the environment impact the development of brain-to-brain synchrony between children and their primary caregivers and how this may affect academic and social outcomes.

Session 1

The SPARK Study will take place on Smith College’s campus in Northampton.  The first session will take place in person the summer before your child begins Kindergarten.  Only one visit to the lab is required, this visit will take about 2.5 hours to complete. During the session, your child will play fun, interactive games such as Simon Says, number and language games, picture games, and iPad-based activities (about 1.5 hours with breaks). Parents will complete surveys about your family’s experiences and demographics (about 1 hour). You and your child will also wear fNIRS caps and play a game together while both of you are neuroimaged at the same time. Families earn $85 for completing this session.

Additional Session

Six months later, you will participate in a follow-up session over Zoom. This session will last about 2 hours. Your child will again play interactive games such as Simon Says, number and language games, and picture games (about 1.5 hours). Parents will complete short tasks, including a Backwards Digit Span (BDS) and a Stroop task (about 30 minutes). Families earn $30 for completing this session.