Big Discoveries Start With Little Voices: Children Ages 5-6 Needed for Speech Research Study

Primary Investigator
C
Caroline Spencer

Primary Investigator

Big Discoveries Start With Little Voices: Children Ages 5-6 Needed for Speech Research Study
Recruiting
5 years - 6 years
All
50 participants needed
1 Location

Brief description of study

Help Researchers Learn More About How Children Speak, Listen, and Communicate. 
 

Ever wonder how your child develops speech skills?  Researchers at Indiana University Bloomington are working to better understand how children learn and use speech, and why some children have speech difficulties.  

We are inviting children ages 5-6 with and without speech difficulties to join.  By comparing children with and without speech disorders, we hope to learn more about the brain and speech skills that may help predict how speech difficulties change over time.

By taking part, your family can help researchers learn more about childhood speech development and speech disorders, which may support future research and care for children with communication challenges.

 

Detailed description of study

What will my child do?

The study includes two in-person visits to Indiana University campus in Bloomington, IN:

Visit 1: Speech and Language Activities (about 2 hours)

  • Speech testing and activities
  • Ultrasound imaging of the tongue while speaking

Visit 2: MRI Scan (about 1 hour)

  • MRI scan to look at brain structure and function
  • Your child will complete simple speaking and listening activities during the scan

Compensation

Families will receive:

  • $30 Amazon gift card for completing Visit 1
  • $30 Amazon gift card for completing Visit 2
  • A small prize for the child, such as a toy

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Healthy
  • Age: 5 years - 6 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria:
  • Children ages 5–6 years with or without speech difficulties 
Exclusion Criteria:
  • Reported history of hearing difficulty
  • Structural oral anomaly (e.g., cleft palate)
  • History of brain injury
  • Diagnosis of seizure disorder or structural brain abnormality
  • Tattoos, permanent piercings, implanted medical devices, other serious metal exposure
 

Updated on 04 Aug 2026. Study ID: 22344

Pre-Screener

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Are you the parent or guardian of a child who is 5-6 years of age?

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