Our mission

Each parent is fascinated with the development of their child. Sometimes, however, it is easy to miss the moment when a toddler learned his first choice, took the first steps or started giving to his favorite toys. Children are extremely clever and keen observers. At the same time, questions arise in their heads: when and how did their child learn all this. The workshop was created on this type of how cognitive functions develop – memory, language and reasoning.

What is Baby Lab UMK?

Baby Lab is a research laboratory for children’s cognitive development at the Neurocognitive Laboratory at the Interdisciplinary Center of Modern Technologies. The submission of projects of our projects contribute to the implementation of a more accurate understanding of the development of cognitive functions in children. The main goal of the studio is to investigate how babies’ hearing, speech understanding, memory and cognition develop. The first year of life in an extreme period for the language school of cognitive functions. It is also a decisive period on which the sensitivity to the subtlety of heard sounds and the ability to acquire linguistic competences will depend. Accurate knowledge of the letter to distinguish the inscriptions for the day, not only for creating toys, helping in the development of the child, but also will be helpful in the earlier diagnosis of disorders.

Projects:

In our studio, we perform basic psychophysiological tests as part of which we perform eye-tracking, EEG, hearing and interaction observations. We have professional equipment, a set of appropriate diagnostic tools and psychological texts. The safety of children is supervised by experienced staff and a medical doctor. Research carried out at BabyLab UMK does not adversely affect the functioning and health of children. Thanks to these tests, in the future, we will be able to detect many abnormalities in a child’s development, and also create an environment that ensures optimal development of children.

Eyetracking:

Eye tracking tests performed in our studio will allow you to see the world through the eyes of a child for a while. Thanks to special sensors and an infrared camera, we can track and record the movement of the eyeballs. We get an exact record of what the child was looking at and for how long, as well as what caught his attention. It is a non-invasive method, performed in the presence of the parent.

Interaction observation:

This research will allow the observation of the way in which the child learns the world and communicates with the environment. Thanks to cameras and special sensors, we will be able to analyze the child’s behavior and accurately describe the emotions accompanying the game. Careful observation of the interactions will allow not only to get to know the child, but also to identify signals that are often unconsciously overlooked in everyday life.

Hearing tests:

Children participating in the hearing tests will take part in an otoacoustic emissions test that will help to objectively assess the condition of the inner ear cochlea. The measurement is non-invasive and painless, and is used e.g. in newborn hearing screening tests. The second test to evaluate the functioning of the middle ear (impedance audiometry) consists of two steps – measuring the reflection of the sound wave from the tympanic membrane (tympanometry) and measuring the acoustic reflex. Like the previous methods, they are non-invasive and painless. During the tests, we make sure that both the child and the parent feel comfortable. The set of tests should take about 20 minutes.

EEG:

Electroencephalograph (EEG) examinations are non-invasive diagnostic methods. Using the equipment and appropriate tools, we are able to study the stimulation of the brain’s bioelectric field. Thanks to this, we will find out what and to what extent stimulates the child’s brain and whether this process is taking place properly.

Willing to cooperate?

BabyLab UMK is a workshop open to the initiatives of young scientists. In our laboratory you can do internships, apprenticeships or volunteers, according to your scientific profile and interests. At the same time, we run several projects in which ongoing assistance is needed.

POLISH

We invite you to the examination

We invite you to a free hearing, speech comprehension and memory test of children from 6 to 12 months of age. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: tel. 605-137-341. We also encourage you to enroll children at the age of 6 for tests.

The research methods used in our studio are harmless and do not cause any side effects. With each examination, we strive to minimize the stress and possible discomfort associated with the examination. Thanks to the cooperation – parents and the University, there are real chances to improve the quality of life of children suffering from various types of cognitive disorders.

BabyLab is not only a research space, but also a meeting place with parents. In our studio there are toys, comfortable armchairs, sofas, cots and changing tables. You can get to the second floor, where our studio is located, using a large elevator. We are committed to providing comfortable conditions for both children and parents. You can count on the clarification of all doubts related to the research. We are at your disposal.

Cooperation

BabyLab UMK is part of the Interdisciplinary Center of Modern Technologies at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. We work with many research, medical and educational centers and organizations, as well as with people involved in cognitive development. Thanks to the exchange of experiences, we deepen the knowledge about the functioning of our children.

Universities

• University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań
• Nicolaus Copernicus University
• University of Warsaw
• Warsaw Medical University

Scientific institutions

• Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing
• Laboratory of Infant Psychology at the University of Warsaw
• The Laboratory of Psychology of Small Child Development at the
• Jagiellonian University, Cracow

Hospitals and doctors

• Provincial Complex Hospital L. Rydygier in Toruń
• Agnieszka Garstecka, MD, PhD
  specialist: pediatric otorhinolaryngologist, audiologist and phoniatrist
• Doctor’s office ul. Zbożowa 7A, 87-100 Toruń

We are also supported by:

UTU Factory Foundation: Iwona Chmielewska

Patronage:

Toruń City Hall

Department of Health and Social

Cooperating nurseries

Contact

Interdisciplinary Center of Modern Technologies
ul. Wileńska 4
87-100 Toruń
prof. Marta Białecka
martabialecka-pikul@umk.pl