About the International Conference on Child Development
The International Conference on Child Development meets in Paris, France, on 26–28 March 2027, bringing together people who study, teach, care for and make decisions about children. Over three days, researchers and practitioners from different disciplines present new findings, compare methods and discuss how evidence about childhood can inform better practice.
Understanding how children develop has never been more pressing. Families and schools are adapting to digital childhoods, services are responding to rising concern about children's mental health, and governments are investing in the early years as a foundation for lifelong wellbeing. Each of these questions needs rigorous research and open conversation between those who produce knowledge and those who use it.
For psychologists, the conference functions as a child psychology conference with a broad reach: studies of cognition, emotion, attachment, behaviour and mental health sit alongside educational, clinical and social research. For those focused on the youngest children, it serves as an early childhood conference where work on early learning, care settings and early intervention can be discussed in depth.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision
A world in which research on childhood consistently shapes the decisions that affect children's lives.
Mission
To give scholars and practitioners a rigorous, welcoming international forum to share and discuss research on child development.
Who Should Attend
Researchers and academics
in developmental psychology, education, paediatrics, sociology and related fields
Educators and practitioners
including early years professionals, teachers, psychologists, therapists and social workers
Doctoral and postgraduate students
looking to present their research and receive feedback
Policymakers and public-sector professionals
working on children's services, education and health
Non-profit and industry professionals
developing programmes, resources or technologies for children and families
Anyone interested in childhood
who wishes to attend as a listener
Academic Scope of the Child Psychology Conference
The conference covers child development from the prenatal period and infancy through middle childhood and early adolescence. We welcome quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research, systematic reviews, theoretical contributions and evaluations of programmes and policy. Interdisciplinary work is especially encouraged, because the most useful answers about childhood often come from combining psychological, educational, biological and social perspectives. Papers should say clearly what they add to knowledge and, where relevant, what their findings mean for children, families and the professionals who support them. Submissions from low- and middle-income countries and from under-represented research communities are warmly welcomed.
Key areas include 19 tracks:
- Developmental Foundations and Early Life
- Brain, Sensory, and Motor Development
- Cognition, Learning, and Executive Function
- Language, Communication, and Literacy
- Social, Emotional, and Moral Development
- Parenting, Families, and Caregiving
- Early Childhood Education and Schooling
- Play, Creativity, and Cultural Participation
- Child Health and Physical Well-Being
- Neurodiversity, Disability, and Inclusion
- Child Mental Health and Developmental Psychopathology
- Culture, Identity, and Social Contexts
- Middle Childhood and Adolescence
- Digital Media and Childhood
- Artificial Intelligence and Child Development
- Adversity, Child Protection, and Resilience
- Physical Environments and Development
- Early Intervention, Services, and Policy
- Research Methods, Assessment, and Ethics
Read the call for papers for the submission process.
Quality and Research Ethics
Every submission is evaluated through double-blind peer review: reviewers do not know the authors' identities, and authors do not know who reviewed their work. Reviewers from the Scientific Committee assess relevance to the conference scope, originality, methodological soundness and clarity. All manuscripts are screened for similarity using iThenticate before evaluation.
Because research with children raises particular ethical responsibilities, authors should confirm that studies involving children, families or other human participants received appropriate ethical approval and informed consent or assent. We welcome researchers of every background, career stage and region, and we encourage work that reflects the diversity of children's lives, families and communities around the world.
How the Conference Works
Oral presentations
Present your research in person at the venue in Paris. Presentations normally allow 15 minutes.
Poster presentations
Display your research as a poster in Paris and discuss it with attendees during the poster session.
Virtual presentations
Present your research live online. Presentations normally allow 15 minutes.
Listeners
Attend the sessions in Paris without presenting a paper.
Attend the Conference
Accepted presenters
Once you receive your acceptance email, complete your registration to confirm your presentation and your place in the Abstract Book.
Listeners
You do not need to submit an abstract to attend. Register as a listener to join the sessions and discussions in Paris.
Registering does not replace peer review: a presentation depends on an accepted submission.
Submit Your Research
Still preparing your work? Submit your abstract for peer review first. If it is accepted, you will receive instructions to register as a presenter.