How children learn to think
In the Developing Minds Lab we investigate how children think, learn and understand social contexts. Our research combines theoretical foundations with current issues in education, family and society.
Researching the cognitive development of children
The Developing Minds Lab at the University of Vechta is investigating how children develop scientific thinking and social skills in order to communicate new knowledge in a practical way.
Research into the cognitive development of children
Find out more about current publications, workshops and lectures.
Presentation at the conference of the Cognitive Development Society
📅 April 9 - 11, 2026, Montreal (Canada)
Theory of Mind as a universal foundation for scientific reasoning: Evidence from Japan and Germany
Seminar: „Understanding what others think: social cognitive skills for success at school“
May 8 - 9, 2026, Vechta
Seminar on the role of social-cognitive skills in the school environment
Publication in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Study on the connection between scientific thinking and math skills
Research on cognitive development in children
Find out more about key findings from our laboratory on children's intellectual development here.
18
Number of studies
Our projects include a large number of practical studies and cross-cultural analyses.
45
Publications
Scientific articles and reports from our research area.
> 2.000
Number of participants
Number of children and adolescents of different ages who took part in our studies.
> 20
Cooperation partner
Number of national and international institutions with which we cooperate.
We explore child development & cognitive progress.
Here you can find out how our research promotes scientific thinking and social skills.
Comparative cultural studies
We investigate how different cultures influence the development of children's thinking and how they gain new insights as a result.
Practical research
Our studies combine theory with real-life situations in order to better understand children's learning processes.
Scientific exchange
We promote dialog between scientists and practitioners in order to pass on knowledge effectively.
Research in an international context
The Developing Minds Lab works in international collaborations and compares the cognitive development of children in different cultural contexts.
Our sponsors
Our research is made possible by the support of public institutions and foundations. We would like to thank our sponsors for their trust in our scientific work and their contribution to the further development of educational research.
Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ)
Magnus Hirschfeld Federal Foundation
Lower Saxony Ministry for
Science and culture
