Interested in learning about how children develop?

We conduct projects with children aged 0 to 8 years and explore questions like:

• When and how do children develop self-control and executive function skills?

• How do play and other activities that children engage in support developing executive function skills?

• How do social and other kinds of knowledge shape how children can self-regulate?

• Does pretending support children’s development?

You can get involved in online studies or in-person studies by completing the form below. This will add your information to our database so that next time we have a project that you are eligible for, we will get in touch with you. There is no commitment to enroll or participate in any particular study. When we get in touch, we will tell you the details of the study so that you can decide if you want to participate or not. If a project is not of interested to you or you are too busy to participate, you can always say no. You can also change your mind and ask us to remove your contact information from our database at any time.

Any information you provide will be kept completely secure and private among our small team of researchers at George Mason University. 

The experience of being in one of our projects is fun and interesting for both children and parents! Families participate either online, or by coming to George Mason University Fairfax Campus, typically for one hour. We offer compensation for time for online studies, and for time and travel for in-person studies (and provide free parking).

Our Lab

Directions to the Developing Minds Lab

David King Hall, Room 1034
George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

Below are Instructions to get to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus (4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030) from various locations (north, south, east, and west).

From the Capital Beltway (I-495)

• Take exit 54A

• Braddock Road West (Route 620).

• Follow Braddock Road West for approximately six miles.

• After crossing over Roberts Road, take the next right on Nottoway River Lane to enter George Mason University’s campus.

• At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).

• Make the third left onto Rivanna River Way. At the end of the road will be a small parking lot, which is where our parking space is located.

From I-95 from points North of D.C.

• From points north on I-95, take exit 27 (I-495 West), then follow the directions "from the Capital Beltway (I-495)."

Via I-66W from Washington D.C. or Arlington

• Take exit 60 for Route 123 South, Chain Bridge Road.

• Follow Route 123 through the City of Fairfax (cross over Main Street), and turn left at University Drive.

• University Drive will become Patriot Circle. Follow this past the Rappahannock Parking Deck and Child Development Center.

• Turn right on Rivanna River Way. At the end of the road will be a small parking lot, which is where our parking space is located.

From I-95 South (Woodbridge or Further South)

• From points south on I-95, take exit 160B (Route 123 North) at Lake Ridge/Occoquan. Follow Route 123 north for approximately 13 miles.

• Turn right onto VA-620 E/Braddock Road.

• Turn left onto Nottoway River Lane. This is after you pass a shopping center on your right.

• At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).

• Make the third left onto Rivanna River Way. At the end of the road will be a small parking lot, which is where our parking space is located.

Via I-66E from Front Royal & Fairfax County Pkwy

• Take exit 55 for Fairfax County Parkway South, toward Springfield/Reston/Herndon (Route 286 – Old Route 7100).

• Keep right to continue on exit 55A (VA-286 S).

• Take the Braddock Road (VA-620 E) exit off of VA-286 S.

• Turn left onto VA-620 E/Braddock Road (there are signs for George Mason University.

• Turn left onto Nottoway River Lane. This is after you pass a shopping center on your right.

• At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).

• Make the third left onto Rivanna River Way. At the end of the road will be a small parking lot, which is where our parking space is located.

From Washington D.C. & Arlington Via Route 50

• Take Route 50 west to I-495 South (Capital Beltway) toward Richmond. Take exit 54A, Braddock Road West (Route 620).

• Follow Braddock Road West for approximately six miles.

• After crossing Roberts Road, take the next right on Nottoway River Lane.

• At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).

• Make the third left onto Rivanna River Way. At the end of the road will be a small parking lot, which is where our parking space is located.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or comments about our research projects, please fill out the form below and we will be happy to respond to you. We look forward to hearing from you!