Child Development
Research Study
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are conducting a study on sleep, memory, and brain development in young children who still nap regularly.
Fast Facts
Children ages 3-5 who were not born premature (before 35 weeks)
Child is habitually napping (5 or more days per week on average for the past month)
Willing and able to complete study visits, memory tasks, an MRI, sleep monitoring, and questionnaires
Compensation
up to $765
Conducted in Amherst, MA and in the home
Additional Information
Young children’s brains grow and change rapidly, and sleep plays an important role in this process. Our team is especially interested in how children’s memory and brain activity shift as they begin to outgrow daily naps. By studying this transition, we hope to learn more about the connection between healthy sleep habits, brain development, and learning.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Parent/caregiver of child ages 3-5
- Child naps habitually (5 or more days/week on average for the past month)
- Child sleeps independently (not bed-sharing)
- Child is able to undergo MRI
- Child has no external influences on nap habits (e.g., inability to nap due to school or caregiver schedule or interfering activities during a typical naptime)
Willing and able to complete study visits, memory tasks, an MRI, sleep monitoring, and questionnaires
Exclusion Criteria:
- Child was born prematurely (before 35 weeks)
- Child has developmental disabilities or delays
- Child has vision or hearing impairments
- Child has a history of brain injury or seizures
- Child has been diagnosed with any sleep disorder (other than mild parasomnia, which is routine at this age)
- Child is currently using any psychotropic or sleep-altering medications
Families take part in 3 waves of visits over a year (each wave is separated by about 6 months).
Each wave includes:
Two home or lab visits where your child plays memory games before and after either a nap or a quiet afternoon awake, with overnight sleep recording. Your child will wear a comfortable cap that measures brain activity during naps and overnight sleep.
One lab visit for a safe, non-invasive MRI brain scan (about 2 hours).
Children will also wear a watch (like a Fitbit) to track sleep habits, and caregivers will complete questionnaires.
Families receive $765 for completing the full study protocol, along with small gifts for children (including a 3D model of their brain). Travel reimbursement is available at $0.67 per mile, and most visits can be done in your home or on campus at UMass Amherst.
There is no cost for your child to participate in our research study.