‘Research unlocks the world of the child’

  • Experiences from before birth to age three are relevant for children’s emotional and physical wellbeing 

  • The first three years of life strongly determine the future wellbeing of a child, and their physical and mental health

  • Children’s wellbeing is economically and psychologically important to the wellbeing of the whole of society 

  • Research makes the case why the emotional health of the under-threes should be at the heart of Government policy

  • We speak out for children too young to speak for themselves, based on the science of infant development

Our research summaries are categorised into 7 key topics:

  • The Perinatal Period: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

  • Attachment

  • Quality of Parent/Infant Interaction

  • ‘It lasts a lifetime…’ critical health implications of early experience

  • Infant Stress

  • Care for the Under-Threes

  • The Infant Brain; Epigenetics

‘Science underpins our message; it drives everything we do’

What About The Children? makes available on its website key elements of scientific research into how early experience impacts on the emotional wellbeing of the under-threes.

This material appears in the form of summaries: research published in peer-reviewed journals from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, biology, and the medical/ health sciences is distilled into an accessible format. 

This science affords vital insights into how early life experience impacts on the emotional development and wellbeing of young children and the potential impact on their future mental and physical health.



The summaries are prepared by a team of science academics commissioned by What About The Children? 

Science and Research Group

Dr Helen Brown

Julie Kent

Dr Clare Sansom

Dr Carole Ulanowsky (Academic Coordinator) email: research@whataboutthechildren.org.uk

Our Target Audiences: THE 3 Ps

·      PARENTS and PRE-PARENTS

·      PROFESSIONALS and PRACTITIONERS

·      POLICYMAKERS

 For parents, and parents-to-be

We strongly recommend accessing the summaries for vital information, most especially concerning the critical early development of your child.

For policy makers, professionals and practitioners

We strongly recommend accessing the summaries for science-informed guidance, innovation, and action on behalf of children.

Our watchword is PREVENTION rather than INTERVENTION

Scientific research is convincing in its message that experiences from before birth to age three can shape a child’s lifelong physical, emotional and mental development.

  • Research confirms that a child’s experience up to the age of three years shapes its future out of all proportion to the rest of childhood. 

  • A secure primary attachment is the main protective factor for the developing brain.

  • When a child’s first three years are right, there are huge benefits - not just for that child, but for the whole of society

Science and Research Group: summaries

  • What About The Children?, through the work of its Science and Research Group, presents summaries of the most up-to-the-minute research. These summaries regularly appear on our website. They provide crucial insights into early life experience.

  • What About The Children? makes available over 110 summaries of scientific research published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Broadly, these cover the categories listed above.

  • For quick reference, we have identified just a small number of research references for each topic; however, these are just a selection of many. You can find these on our research summaries page. For other summaries in each section click on More summaries.

For further advice/information please email: research@whataboutthechildren.org.uk