The lab works with both children and adults to develop a comprehensive view of the processes of the human mind. Research in the Gelman Lab focuses on investigating how cognitive development is influenced by information environments. Topics of interest include numeracy and graphing, children's linguistic development, reasoning and judgment, and visual and verbal framing effects.
Preschool Pathways to Science
The Preschool Pathways to Science (PrePS©) program encourages science based learning through hands-on, developmentally-appropriate activities. The program is designed to enhance the preschool classroom experience for both teachers and children. Preschool teachers, directors, and cognitive researchers collaborate with the goal of fostering enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and feelings of mastery in the classroom. The PrePS© program aims to:We are fortunate to work in a time when the preschool mind is celebrated for what it can do, rather than described in terms of what it cannot do. Whereas preschoolers were once thought to be conceptually limited, research demonstrates that preschoolers are ready and able to think about and talk about many science-related topics, even if their investigative conclusions are not always the same ones adults would draw.
- Familiarize children with the physical tools of science, such as
rulers, magnifying glasses, weights, and scales - Develop the specific vocabulary of science, such as "observe", "predict",
"research", and "record" - Provide experiences that allow children to use tools and words in
simple but correct ways
