Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

How monolingual and bilingual 18-month-olds learn to count

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This study investigates young children’s ability to learn abstract counting principles, which is regarded as a central element of their cognitive development.

For this study, we are specifically interested in the principle of ‘one-to-one correspondence’, where children learn that one number value represents one item in a group or array of items. We will compare preferences for correct versus incorrect counting in both monolingual and bilingual infants.

The results of this research will shed light on how children learn to count and will provide the basis for further studies that will explore the effect of bilingualism on the other counting principles.

Participation in this study takes place during one 30-minute session in the Early Cognitive Development Centre at UQ Campus. You will never be separated from your child during your visit, and each child will receive a certificate and small gift for participating.

All sessions are videotaped. The video is used to record your child’s behaviour, which we will then code and store in a de-identified format. The videotapes will not be viewed by anyone other the research team associated with the project. All information regarding you and your child will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Eligibility 

  • Children must be 18-months-old or turning 18-months within one month

  • Child can be monolingual or bilingual.

Register your interest 

To register your interest please email: kate.macklin@uq.net.au

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No. 2020002468​]