Children news

A child in a red top with a pencil working on a piece of paper

Nine-year-olds in England sit timed multiplication test – but using times tables is about more than quick recall

An opinion piece by Professor Camilla Gilmore and Natasha Guy, of Loughborough University's Department of Mathematics Education, and Professor Lucy Cragg, of the University of Nottingham.
3 children sat working together at school

“Parents’ understanding of their children is often belittled and children are rarely asked what they need" - Loughborough expert argues need to fully focus on children's rights in SEND system reform

As part of this week’s Spending Review (June 25), Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed over £1bn in support for children's social care and the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system. Of this, £760m will go towards making the SEND system "more inclusive and improve outcomes for all children and young people."
strawberry milkshake in a cup

“For ‘sugar tax’ to be truly effective, it must be part of a greater food reform” – expert calls for bigger changes within ‘overwhelmingly complex and often misleading food environment’

The government announced last week that they are consulting on proposals to extend the sugar tax that is currently applied to fizzy drinks, to include pre-packaged milk-based drinks, as well as non-dairy substitutes such as oat or rice milks.

toddler eating from a food pouch

Public health expert offers guidance after baby food pouches found lacking in key nutrients

A new BBC Panorama investigation that aired early this week revealed that baby food pouches from six major UK brands – including four leading manufacturers and two supermarkets – are failing to meet key nutritional needs for babies and toddlers and are often high in sugar.

a child and woman smile at each other

How dentists could help tackle obesity in children

As a specialty registrar in paediatric dentistry, I’ve seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health. Tooth decay happens when teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria breaking down sugar from foods and drinks – and although it’s largely preventable – it’s the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between five and nine in England.
A father and son sat looking at homework at a grey desk

Parents' fear of maths linked to lower achievement in children – new research

Mathematics anxiety is a feeling of tension and fear when dealing with numbers or performing calculations. It is a common form of academic anxiety: according to an OECD report, around 40% of students feel nervous, helpless or anxious in everyday situations involving mathematics, such as solving problems or doing maths homework.
a child, head bowed, with phone in hand

Hit TV series Adolescence: “your child could receive these types of online messages. It's not out of the ordinary” – Loughborough University expert says (VIDEO)

The hit Netflix series, Adolescence, which delivers a hard-hitting storyline around a social media-fuelled killing and the influence of incel subculture, has highlighted the very real concerns children and young people face navigating the online world. 
shadows of people playing football in the sunset

The world’s first global thematic report on sport trafficking unveils critical insights into exploitation

Loughborough University, in partnership with Mission 89 and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch of the British Parliament, has released the first-ever comprehensive global thematic report on sport trafficking.
A young boy in a red t shirt holding a pen doing his math homework while an adult, out of shot, points at the numbers on the homework sheet

Parents’ maths anxiety linked to lower numeracy skills in children, study finds

New research findings reveal that parents’ anxiety about mathematics can have a negative impact on their children’s early numeracy skills, influencing their performance in the subject as they progress through school.
the latest exports in sport podcast logo with children playing sport in the background

Experts in Sport: How Physical Education in schools can be improved through Models-based practice

Children's Physical activity levels in England and around the world remain stubbornly low.
the experts in sport podcast typeface laid over a green background of sport equipment

Experts in Sport: Safeguarding and interpersonal abuse in sport – the development and potential impact of the IOC consensus statement

Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirmed its commitment to safe sport by announcing the release of its third consensus statement on safeguarding and interpersonal violence in sport.
A boy smiling, talking to an adult

The importance of listening to children's voices in youth justice decision-making – new report

“Talk to me with respect … like the way they speak to their own kids. Don’t speak down to us and listen, speak to us on the level and we’ll listen too.” (Boy, Age 16, Youth Justice Service)
A teenage boy sat on a bed looking out the window and a cityscape.

COVID lockdowns affected adolescents’ brain structures, says research

A recent study reported the somewhat alarming observation that the social disruptions of COVID lockdowns caused significant changes in teenagers’ brains.
the experts in sport podcast logo superimposed over various sports equipment

Experts in Sport: The long-term problems of sports participation and how to solve them

In the latest Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by Professor Paul Downward to discuss the UK’s low levels of sport participation.
A robot sat on top of a pile of books reading a blue book

A is for ‘artificial intelligence’: Why researchers are creating a children’s book and Dungeons & Dragons-style game to teach AI

Computer scientists at Loughborough University are combining fun and education to create an A-to-Z picture book that introduces children to artificial intelligence (AI).

Volunteers guiding a young visitor through the boxercise activity

Health and wellbeing research showcased at Cheltenham Science Festival

Researchers from Loughborough University brought the science of healthy eating and exercise to life at this year’s Cheltenham Science Festival (4-9 June).
A teddy bear on a bed

New research highlights child poverty as critical election issue

A staggering two-thirds (66%) of new constituencies for the General Election have at least a quarter of children living in poverty, reveals a new study by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition.

Children playing football in the sunshine

Loughborough joins global consortium tackling physical inactivity and unhealthy diets of adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Generation H project, funded via a £3 million Euro grant, will focus on improving physical inactivity and unhealthy diets among adolescents, in diverse socio-economic urban settings in Ghana (Greater Accra region) and Kenya (Nairobi), to reduce the risk of them developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood.

Illustration showing different number, rulers and maths-related tools, and people sitting in and around them.

Maths curriculum backed by cognitive science could ensure no child is left behind on the learning journey

School mathematics teaching is “stuck in the past” and we need to adopt curricula underpinned by cognitive science if we want more students to succeed, says the Director of a UK education network.
A kid on a laptop

Millions do not meet minimum standard for digital social inclusion

Nearly four million households with children in the UK do not meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS), according to new research.
a group of children running away together playing sport

Study reveals how sports programmes for young children can combat future youth violence

A study conducted by Loughborough University has examined how sporting interventions aimed at young children can reduce youth crime and violence in London.
Picture of a teenage girl in a yellow jumper writing down maths equations in front of a laptop

Understanding how the brain works can transform how school students learn maths

School mathematics teaching is stuck in the past. An adult revisiting the school that they attended as a child would see only superficial changes from what they experienced themselves.
Noonan Syndrome:

Families living with Noonan Syndrome call for more social support and medical awareness

Families living with Noonan Syndrome say there is a pressing need for more social support and awareness of the rare genetic condition.
Scottish parliament building

New ‘Cost of a Child in Scotland’ research published ahead of final vote on Scottish Budget finds costs are still outstripping additional Holyrood support for families

A new report published today has found a huge gap remains between the cost of raising a child in Scotland and actual family incomes, despite the significant impact of Scottish government policies and lower childcare costs.

a number of humans collectively hold a rugby ball aloft

Prioritise sport’s role in reducing crime, parties told

Political parties must prioritise the contribution of sport and physical activity if they are genuinely committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour more effectively, according to new research published today.