The Cognitive Development Lab is located in the Department of Psychology at the University of Houston and is directed by Dr. Hanako Yoshida. Our team explores the remarkable journey of early infancy and childhood – uncovering how infants and children transform from curious observers into skilled learners of language and the perceptual world through moment-to-moment interactions with people and objects in their everyday environments.

We view every child as a “growing scientist.” By studying how children engage with their everyday environments and acquire new words, we seek to uncover the fundamental learning processes that shape the human mind. Our work is made possible through close partnerships with dedicated researchers and local families.

Whether you are a parent interested in participating in our Ongoing Studies or a student interested in joining our Research Team, we invite you to learn more about how we study the building blocks of human learning and development.

Note for Prospective Graduate Students: Dr. Yoshida will be reviewing applications for the 2027-2028 academic year. Learn more.