The Online Remote Child Assessment (ORCA) Project: Using remote methodologies to capture heterogeneity of early learning and development
We are pleased to announce that Natalie Brito, PhD (NYI Steinhardt) will speak at our online BRC Colloquium on the 4th of February 2025. Natalie is a developmental psychologist who examines how early social and cultural contexts shape the trajectory of neurocognitive development.
Abstract talk
Developmental advancements in learning are dependent on efficient attentional processing – yet there is still much to investigate regarding the factors that contribute to variability in early attention abilities and how trajectories of attention support later higher-order cognitive skills. Over the past several years, use of remote data collection has increased significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote methodologies may not be appropriate for evaluating every developmental domain, but visual attention may be an ideal ability to test, as looking is one of the earliest observable behaviors to develop in children. Remote methods have the potential to lower participant burden, but remote data collection of neurocognitive measures for young children are difficult to implement. This talk will present data from an ongoing, large-scale remote study enrolling families across the United States in an effort to develop and validate a remote protocol measuring behavioral and physiological indices of attention and memory during the first year of life. By increasing accessibility and developing culturally sensitive protocols, sociodemographic representation will be increased, strengthening our understanding of how variability in experiences shape normative trajectories of development.
