Welcome! 

Welcome to the Understanding Play (UP) Lab at the School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, where we explore the fascinating connection between motor skills, asymmetries, cognition, and language development in infants and toddlers. We work with the following populations: 

• Infants & Toddlers: We investigate how motor skills and asymmetries affect the development of cognition and language.  
• Parents and their children: Children have different needs while they play. Sometimes they need help sitting up, shaking a rattle, or assembling a puzzle. We investigate how parents from different backgrounds teach and support their babies during play.  
• Developmental Science: Measuring and assessing the progress of infants and young children presents unique challenges. Surveys are impractical and each child learns skills at their own pace. In our lab, we embrace these challenges, pioneering innovative methods and statistics to comprehend development comprehensively.

Families interested in participating can email us and learn more details on our "Studies" page.

Students looking to work in the UP Lab? Learn more on our "Work with Us" page.