Welcome to the Project on Children's Thinking at Northwestern University!
The Project on Children's Thinking, headed by Dr. Dedre Gentner, studies the development of children's thought and language. We study how children come to know about the world, with a focus on how their growing insight into linguistic and conceptual structures influences their patterns of learning and reasoning.
One major focus of our research is how children come to learn about spatial relations and how this understanding affects their reasoning. We also study how language can help children think relationally at a younger age than they might otherwise.
Many parents are interested in knowing what we are discovering in our research. We will gladly provide summaries of the studies in which your child participates. Each year we send out a newsletter to all the participating families that summarizes our findings over the past year.
Developmental Lab Coordinator Position Available
Responsibilities include: Manage a cognitive development lab; help design and construct experimental stimuli, recruit and coordinate child participation in studies; carry out studies with children; analyze statistical data; maintain the lab database; supervise data entry; assist in newsletter production and mailing; supervise research assistants.
Qualifications include: Bachelor's degree or equivalent, preferably in Psychology, Cognitive Science or Education; proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and the ability to learn other computer applications; ability to handle multitasking and to work well with minimal supervision; ability to interact well with parents, children, school personnel, university faculty, college students, and administrators; excellent communication skills. Previous research experience and/or experience working with young children are essential. Knowledge of statistical techniques/software and experience working in an academic environment are desirable, but not required.
If interested please contact Katie James (katherine-james@northwestern.edu) or Sonica Dhillon (g-dhillon@northwestern.edu) at 847-467-1360.
