News
Children
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How women’s experience of birth during COVID-19 can help improve childbirth in future
Over the past 15 months we have avoided hugs and handshakes, stayed at home and quarantined, and experienced important life events alone. We have been reduced to family bubbles – keeping away from friends, acquaintances and even other family members.
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Textiles student creates playful installation for children with multi-sensory impairments as part of her final-year project
A final-year Textiles student has created an interactive play experience for children with special educational needs.
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Lack of math education negatively affects adolescent brain and cognitive development
Adolescents who stopped studying maths exhibited greater disadvantage - compared with peers who continued studying maths - in terms of brain and cognitive development, according to a new study.
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Dramatic rise in child poverty in the last five years – new report
New figures released today reveal that even before the pandemic, in some parts of the UK, the majority of children are growing up in poverty once housing costs are taken into account.
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Examining sport clubs as 'missing spaces' for young people in care – new study
Loughborough University academics have secured a second prestigious British Academy small grant to explore care experienced young people’s engagements with sport clubs and coaches.
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‘Children who offend should be treated as children first and foremost’: new report provides evidence-base for Child First approach in youth justice systems
Responding to young people that come into contact with the Youth Justice System as ‘children’ and not ‘offenders’ can enhance lives, reduce offending, promote safer communities and lead to fewer victims, a new report states.
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Vice-Chancellor welcomes the campus nursery as it becomes part of Imago
The Vice-Chancellor welcomes the newly-named Loughborough University Nursery after its transfer from the Students’ Union to Imago.
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Academics awarded £93k to develop novel board game that aims to improve children’s numeracy skills
Mathematics education research has repeatedly shown that children’s early counting abilities are an essential precursor to wider mathematical learning.
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Teachers could be over or underestimating the effectiveness of education studies because of how they are presented
The way that some education studies are presented could give teachers unrealistic expectations about what they might be able to achieve in the classroom, according to new research.
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Using COVID-19 in the classroom: How teaching can benefit from the global pandemic
Two Loughborough psychologists have put together a plan for how secondary school teachers can use the COVID-19 pandemic to help explain psychological concepts.
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Using storybooks to help young children with maths – new review
Storybooks and tutoring could be important tools for improving young children’s maths skills, according to a new review.
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Loughborough University to play role in £1million+ Para Sport Against Stigma project that aims to change attitudes towards people with disabilities in Africa
A £1.89m collaborative project between Loughborough University, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the University of Malawi, Chancellor College will aim to overcome stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities in Africa.
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Standing desks: School children choose to stand in class when given the opportunity, new study finds
Providing a standing desk to every primary school child in a UK classroom can reduce sitting time throughout most of the academic year, according to a new study.
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New data shows child poverty rates have risen sharpest in the Midlands and the North
Child poverty has risen most sharply in parts of the Midlands and in northern towns and cities over the past four years, according to new research published today (13/10).
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Learning before bedtime could improve memory – new study
Studying times tables at bedtime could improve the chances of being able to recall them later.
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Loughborough University collaborates with governing bodies to support parents and children in tennis around the world
Loughborough University, The International Tennis Federation (ITF - the world governing body for tennis), and the LTA (the national governing body for tennis in Great Britain) have come together to provide a suite of education and support resources for parents of young tennis hopefuls, and to drive forward research on parenting in tennis.
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Loughborough academics partner with StreetGames to tackle serious youth violence
Academics from Loughborough University are collaborating with StreetGames, a national charity that helps bring sport to disadvantaged communities, to help tackle serious youth violence.
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Lockdown and loot boxes: Experts issue vital advice for parents of young gamers about risks of in-game purchases in response to recent screen-time concerns
Researchers from Loughborough and Newcastle Universities and the national charity Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM) have teamed up to help parents and carers understand why, and control how, their children buy in-game items such as loot boxes.
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‘Technical Guide on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport’: UN launches important guidance developed by Loughborough London expert
A new guide has been launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that looks at how sport can be used to protect youth around the world from the risks and root causes of violent extremism.
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Joe Wicks got children moving – how to keep them active as lockdown ends
When parents in the UK were suddenly forced to become teachers to their kids in lockdown, physical education (PE) was largely an afterthought. As many PE lessons are now delivered by outside professional coaches, few primary schools had the in-house experience or skills to create and suggest content to help parents.
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Emotional and social characteristics of young children can impact the success of positive feeding practices
Children’s emotional and social characteristics can impact the success of feeding practices used by parents and caregivers.
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Fears coronavirus lockdown will increase child poverty in UK as latest figures show rise of almost a fifth in the last four years
New research shows that child poverty in the UK has increased by 2.8% in the last four years, but experts fear the figure will grow due to the impact of coronavirus.
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Five lockdown lessons for helping fussy eating youngsters (VIDEO)
The coronavirus lockdown is forcing new challenges upon families, as well as reinforcing old ones, but encouraging children to eat an array of foods does not have to be one of them.
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Early and frequent exposure to childcare increases the risk of youngsters being overweight later in life
Children who start childcare such as nurseries or playgroups at a younger age and attend for most of the week are at higher risk for obesity in later life, according to a new study.
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Tracking lifestyles over the course of a pandemic: New coronavirus survey aims to understand more about current and future health and wellbeing
Psychologists from Loughborough University have launched a study which aims to understand the impact of coronavirus on daily life.
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PARENTS: Expert shares practical ideas for helping children and babies with their physical development at home
A Loughborough University academic has shared practical tips to help parents and guardians deliver physical development opportunities to children at home following the closure of nurseries and other childcare facilities.
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Curious Kids: Do grownups still grow?
Do grownups still grow? – question submitted by Emma, aged five, from the UK.
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Criminology professor to present public lecture on how to solve the knife crime problem
Loughborough’s Head of Social and Policy Studies and Professor of Criminology Steve Case will present a new approach to dealing with knife crime in a public lecture at the University on Wednesday 18 March.
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Is there a public consensus on what it means to be rich?
New research shows that people can easily identify what makes you rich, but struggle to agree at what point wealth and income become excessive.
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‘Technoference’: why we should be worried about parents’ screen time
Many young people spend significantly more time using screens than is recommended by health professionals.
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Young people in care feel there are fewer opportunities for them to get involved in sport
Six out of 10 young people in care felt they did not have the same opportunities to take part in sport compared to friends who were not in care, according to a new report.
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One in four children growing up in homes with “very low income”
A quarter of all children in the UK are growing up in very low-income households, according to a new report into minimum socially acceptable standards of living.
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Parents! How to prepare a perfectly nutritious primary school packed lunch for your kids this New Year
Surprise your kids when they go back to school this January by swapping their lunch time cola, chocolate and crisps for healthy, nutritious alternatives.
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Loughborough University and World Players Association launch the first global study on child athletes' experiences
To mark Human Rights Day (10 December), Loughborough University has collaborated with the World Players Association to launch the first global Census on Athlete Rights Experiences (Project CARE).
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Does childcare influence health behaviours later in life?
Researchers are looking at whether non-parental childcare during the early years have an influence on children’s health behaviours later in life.
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Mothers’ depression and anxiety linked to unhealthy diets for children
Having symptoms of depression or anxiety could be affecting the way mothers feed their children and could contribute to youngsters developing unhealthy eating habits, a new study has found.
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Working lone parents cannot achieve a decent standard of living due to cuts to benefits and rises in everyday essential costs
Lone parents who work full-time hours in reasonably paid jobs cannot afford a decent standard of living, according to new research by Loughborough University.
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More than 90% of British teens do not meet all three recommended guidelines for sleep, physical activity and screen-time, study suggests
New research, led by Loughborough University, has revealed that the majority of British teenagers do not meet the recommended guidelines for sleep, physical activity and screen-time concurrently.
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Loughborough experts invited to Westminster to present research on sport and physical activity for children in care
Two Loughborough academics will meet MPs tomorrow (26) to explain the importance of sport and physical activity in the lives of children in care.
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New website provides practical ideas to help ensure children are physically ready to start school
A team of Loughborough University academics have launched a new website that provides practical tips to help early year practitioners and parents feel confident in delivering physical development opportunities to children.
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How climbing trees and making dens can help children develop resilience
Despite all the research that tells parents how good it is for their children to spend time playing outside, they are spending more time indoors than ever before. It seems that concerns about the dangers of climbing trees or getting lost means that many parents are nervous about allowing their children to engage in risky play.
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Helping children grow is about much more than a better diet: A study of youngsters from urban slums
Breastfeeding and vitamin and mineral supplements alone are not enough to prevent stunting of a child’s growth, according to a new report which examined health interventions in poor urban areas.
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Forest Schools teach children vital skills not found in the classroom – including independence, responsibility and negotiation
Outdoor learning gives children the opportunity to develop important skills not taught in the classroom, such as negotiation, resilience and independence, according to a new study.
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International conference at Loughborough University to explore children’s rights
Loughborough University is hosting an international conference that explores children’s rights in youth justice systems.
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New online tool will help teachers support preterm children who develop special educational needs as they get older
A new online tool aims to increase primary teachers’ awareness of the link between preterm birth and educational difficulties as well as give practical teaching advice for helping those most at risk.
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Winning outdoor classroom design for Leicestershire school is revealed
A group of Loughborough University students are set to see their ideas brought to life as their outdoor classroom design for a Leicestershire school has been selected to be developed by an architect.
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Super Movers: Schoolchildren performed better in tests after exercise initiative from the Premier League and BBC
A study involving more than 1,000 schoolchildren has found a link between exercise and improved brain power.
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Three-quarters of lone parent families, and rising, are living below the Minimum Income Standard
A decade after the economic downturn, two million more people than in 2008 are on incomes too low to secure a living standard considered an acceptable minimum by the British public, according to new research from Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP).
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New book aims to raise awareness of the issues experienced by young carers
A new illustrated book for children, families and teachers based on research with young carers tells the story of Carly who cares for her disabled mum – a situation faced by thousands of young people across Britain.
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‘Tis the season to be fussy… how to encourage your children to eat their sprouts
Evolutionary biology gives children a wonderful gift at Christmas… a proven scientific excuse for disliking sprouts.
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More than 1 million children are at risk of ‘holiday hunger’ this Christmas
One million disadvantaged children are at risk of malnutrition, ill-health and hunger this Christmas due to a two-week hiatus from the vital nutrition of free school meals.
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Virtual reality, model-making and more…school children enjoy campus visit and develop designs for new learning space
Thirty primary school pupils visited the university last month as they are working with Loughborough Architecture students to design an outdoor classroom.
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Students launch festive campaign to ensure all children have presents to open this Christmas
Students from Loughborough University have launched a toy appeal to ensure Leicestershire children, who would otherwise receive nothing, have presents to open on Christmas Day.
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Loughborough graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted for teacher training
Loughborough University’s teacher training has been graded as ‘outstanding’ – the best possible category – by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
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Report highlights a culture of violence and abuse against children in Tonga
A Loughborough-led study aimed at investigating the experiences of children in Tonga has uncovered systemic and cultural abuse and mistreatment of children in families and schools.
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Students to work with community to design outdoor classroom for Leicestershire school
Students from Loughborough University are to bring their learning to life by designing an outdoor classroom for a Leicestershire school.
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Online game aims to save lives by educating children on how to identify storm surges
A Loughborough academic hopes the online game they have developed will help save lives by teaching children how to identify early warnings of coastal flooding.
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Memes may encourage adolescents to be fat and lazy, warn researchers
Loughborough academics have presented a report to MPs to warn that social media memes are encouraging obesity, apathy and lethargy in children.
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Cost of raising a child falls but many parents still struggle to meet the threshold
Raising a child to the age of 18 will cost couples £150,753, according to new figures by Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP).
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Psychologist helps develop app that aims to tackle fussy eating in children
A Loughborough University academic has helped develop a novel app for children that aims to get them eating more healthily and trying different vegetables.
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Young carers and students in care were able to ‘explore more’ into Higher Education at Loughborough event
Loughborough University’s School and College Liaison Team have hosted a successful experience day for young carers and students in the care system.
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England, the World Cup and childhood obesity
The biggest sporting event on the planet is dominated by junk food advertising – and today Public Health England announced that youngsters are eating twice the recommended amount of sugar.
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Students inspired at NCOP Pathways’ Year 10 Holiday Club
At the end of last month, Loughborough University welcomed more than 100 Year 10 students onto campus to give them an insight into STEM, sport and global contexts.
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Design student wins competition for sustainable toy design
A student from Loughborough’s Design School has won a prize for the innovative, sustainable child’s toy she has designed.
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Cinema screening to raise money for Loughborough charity
Flix and the Ethnic Minorities Network are hosting a film fundraiser this weekend to raise money for Loughborough-based charity Baca.
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People of all ages to be inspired at STEM Community Day 2018
From budding astrophysicists and mathematicians, to those with wild imaginations and a thirst for trying new things, Loughborough University aims to inspire everyone at its annual STEM Community Day.
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Youngsters learn the basics of rocket science
Schoolchildren were given the chance to become rocket scientists for the day when members of the Loughborough University’s Space Society held a one-off aeronautics session.
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Underprivileged children used to be undernourished – now they’re at risk of being obese
Children from disadvantaged families are at greater risk of being overweight compared to those from more affluent backgrounds, a new study has found, but this hasn’t always been the case.
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Struggling families disqualified from justice despite Supreme Court verdict
Poverty hit families are being denied vital help to fight eviction, tackle severe housing disrepair and address other life-changing legal issues, the Law Society of England and Wales revealed today.
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NHS guidance about dressing infants in “one extra layer” is being put to the test
Scientists are examining NHS guidance to parents which recommends dressing infants in one extra layer of clothing when using a sling.
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More than half of children now living in poverty in some parts of the UK
The End Child Poverty coalition has today (Wednesday 24 January) published a new Child Poverty map of the UK, using data compiled by Loughborough University.
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More than 600,000 youngsters are at risk of ‘holiday hunger’ this Christmas
This Christmas more than 600,000 children are at risk of going hungry.
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Loughborough hosts forest education network 10-year celebration
Loughborough University hosted the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Forest Education Network 10-year celebration anniversary event this week; bringing together practitioners, organisations and researchers from across the region.
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Single-earner families face living standards drop
Cuts to Universal Credit will leave many low income families worse off despite tax changes and a rising National Living Wage, new analysis by Loughborough University has revealed.
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Screen time linked to unhealthy eating behaviour in children
Excessive screen time has been linked to unhealthy eating behaviour in schoolchildren.
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Study reveals how Forest Schools can benefit children’s development
Forest Schools are a growing phenomenon in the UK, but what impact does getting children outside of the classroom have on their overall development? Researchers at Loughborough University hope to find out.
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Parents in Sport Week at Loughborough University
Loughborough University staff and students are supporting national Parents in Sport Week, which runs until October 8.
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The cost of raising a child in 2017: UK’s poorest families expected to make stagnant benefits stretch further
For the first time since the creation of the modern welfare state the annual rising cost of providing for a child is not being matched by the Government, according to new research.
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Study highlights the physical and psychological rewards of breastfeeding for mum
Encouragement for new mothers who are considering breastfeeding should include highlighting the immediate physical advantages such as weight loss as well as the health benefits, a new study has found.
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More than 600,000 youngsters are at risk of ‘holiday hunger’ this summer
Hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged children are at risk of malnutrition, ill-health and hunger this summer due to a six-week break from the vital nutrition of free school meals.
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Daily movement programme has positive impact on children’s learning
Following a daily movement programme can improve children’s physical development levels and has the potential to boost their chances in the classroom, researchers from Loughborough University have found.
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Parents, don’t give up! Here are three effective methods for encouraging your kids to eat their vegetables
Parents should not give up on encouraging their children to eat their greens.