A Typical Visit

Your Visit

We offer walk-in and scheduled sessions at the UM Living Lab located on the first floor of the Missoula Public Library. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the participating child to their session or send the completed and signed the permission form with the child.

• Walk-in Sessions. We are open for walk-in sessions on a first-come, first-served basis at the UM Living Lab located on the first floor of the Missoula Public Library.

• Scheduled Sessions. You can schedule your child's study session online when you sign up for the Minds Lab Family Registry. If you have previously signed up for the Minds Lab Family Registry we will contact you when your child[ren] are eligible for one of our studies to invite you to schedule a session. 

During Your Visit

You will be able to be with your child at all times and will be able to observe them participate in the study.  

• Welcome and Introductions. Once you arrive at the lab, you will be welcomed into our lab’s own child-friendly waiting room. You'll meet the research assistant who will be working with you. There are also toys available for the participating child and any siblings.

• Informed Consent. The researcher will explain the study to you and your child and answer any questions you or your child might have.You will be asked to sign a permission form allowing your child to participate in the study and we will also ask if your child agrees to participate in the study.

• Your Child's Session. When your child is ready, the researcher will invite your child into the adjoining testing room. You may watch your child’s session on the flat screen in the waiting room through the testing room’s camera, or join your child in the testing room. A typical session takes about 15-30 minutes. If at any time your child wants to take a break or end the session for any reason, we will do so happily and immediately. We may also ask you to complete a questionnaire about your child.

At the End of Your Visit

• Thank you. After your child’s session is complete, your child will receive a diploma and a small gift. The researcher will answer any and all questions you may have about the study.
• Results of the Study. Our studies are usually published in academic journals on child development. We unfortunately cannot provide you with individual data on your child because we collapse the data across all children who participate. However, if you are interested we will gladly email you our newsletter about our most recent findings!