Children news

cartoon veg

Struggling to get your children to eat enough veg? Loughborough researchers may have the answer!

Many parents will know all too well the struggle with encouraging children to eat more vegetables.

Standing against child trafficking in sport – Loughborough legal expert addresses the UN

Not properly understanding of the role of football agents could leave young players open to exploitation, according to Loughborough expert Dr Serhat Yilmaz.
Illustration of a monster behind a child.

How chronic stress stunts child growth

As we go through life, our health and wellbeing is impacted by a variety of factors that in turn affect our growth and development.

1-in-4 children living in poverty set to worsen during cost of living crisis

New figures released today show 3.6 million children are still living in poverty in the UK, down 200,000 (-2%) on the year before.

action from the NFL Flag National Championships

NFL stars touchdown in Loughborough

A cast of stars from the NFL have descended on campus as the University and Loughborough College kick-started a new partnership with the American football giant.

A child doing timestables

More maths testing could be good for primary schoolchildren – if done in the right way

Recently published UK government plans proposed that by 2030, 90% of children leaving primary school in England should reach the expected standards in reading, writing and maths, compared with 65% in 2019.
A child with their head against a board showing maths equations.

Being anxious about studying maths doesn’t mean you’re not good at it, but it can result in negative outcomes, says expert

Have you ever felt stressed or anxious while staring at your maths homework? Did the idea of your maths teacher asking you a question in class fill you with dread?

New digital platform devised by 12-year-old will help schoolchildren organise their work

A 12-year-old schoolboy has co-created a digital tool that lets pupils catch up on their lessons and homework.
sports equipment

Study will seek to improve psychosocial skills of ‘Gen Z’ athletes

A new study could improve the chances of success for the UK’s ‘Generation Z’ athletes – the future Olympic medal hopefuls – by helping to them improve skills such as dealing with adversity, becoming more independent and improving their communication.

a pregnant woman

Loughborough research project shapes UK Sport pregnancy guidance

Academics at Loughborough University have helped shape ground-breaking pregnancy guidance from UK Sport – the first of its kind to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes and sport governing bodies.

Illustration of young athletes running

Loughborough University and Laurus Trust partnership to support future sporting stars

Loughborough University and the Laurus Trust are joining forces as part of a new initiative that aims to support the sporting stars of the future.
a woman playing football

New study aims to increase female participation in football in England’s schools

A new study designed for schools in England will aim to increase female participation in football.

two people playing tennis

LTA partners with Loughborough for Parents in Sport Week

The LTA has partnered with Loughborough University to support the delivery of a series of virtual events for the upcoming Parents in Sport Week (4 – 10 October 2021).

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.
Photo of one of the play orange and pink patchwork playmats Ella created on a bed of flowers

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.

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.

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.
A posed shot of children playing sport

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.

Young man in a hoodie talking to an adult.

‘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.

Campus nursery sign

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.
Illustration of a family playing board games

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.

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.

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.

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.
An image from Loughborough University's para sport project in Africa

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.