Imagery Play Lab


WELCOME
Our lab is based at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sabanci University, Turkey, led by Olesya Blazhenkova. Our current research, supported by TÜBİTAK 1001 project (“Investigating the developmental origins of visual imagery variability through assessment of visual-object and visual-spatial play”) examines visual-object and visual-spatial imagery development in children through play with different types of visual toys. This work involves both children and their parents and explored how early experiences shape individual differences in visual thinking.
Our research also explores individual differences in visual and verbal cognition and their assessment, the connection between imagery, emotion, and creativity, visual art perception and creation, imagination of missing information (including mental filling-in and boundary extension), and memory errors.

The Imagery Play Lab Symposium series aims to bring together experts in developmental, cognitive, social, and clinical psychology, alongside educators, designers, toy-industry specialists, market researchers, and professionals from related applied fields. The Symposium welcomes researchers and practitioners from Türkiye and abroad who are interested in imagery, play, early childhood development, and related domains. Undergraduate and graduate students are also encouraged to participate.
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The first symposium will be held on December 16, 2025.
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Symposium link https://www.imageryplay.space/symposium

PLAY & LEARN
FESTIVAL

As part of our TÜBİTAK 1001-supported research (223S396 Numaralı Proje), we organize the ‘Play and Learn’ festival at Sabancı University. This event combines field research on children’s play with engaging, fun-filled activities, ranging from art and science educational games to outdoor play experiences.
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2026 festival:
Coming soon. Stay tuned!
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Past 2025 festival:
in English ‘Play and Learn’ Festival 2025
in Turkish 'Oyna ve ÖÄŸren' ÅženliÄŸi 2025
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Past 2024 festival:
in English ‘Play and Learn’ Festival 2024
in Turkish 'Oyna ve ÖÄŸren' ÅženliÄŸi 2024


