A groundbreaking study at the University of Bristol is exploring how young children develop essential thinking skills like focus and impulse control. By observing children as young as six months, researchers aim to understand when and how these skills form, which are crucial for future learning and behavior. Using innovative techniques like brain scans and interactive games, scientists are uncovering the early foundations of cognition that shape a child’s ability to think, focus, and learn.
A Multi-Generational Project Links Parents and Children
This study stands out due to its connection to a decades-long research project tracking the health of 300 children and their mothers, who have been involved since the early 1990s. Scientists have followed the health, emotional, and mental development of these mothers since birth, and now they are comparing this data with their children’s brain activity. Dr. Karla Holmboe, who leads the project, describes the research as unique, offering insights that no other study can match.
Dr. Holmboe emphasizes the importance of understanding when and how children develop cognitive skills. Children who struggle with learning in the early school years often continue facing challenges into adulthood. By tracking their development from an early age, the study aims to provide critical support before these issues become ingrained.
Games and Brain Scans Reveal the Foundations of Learning
The children involved in the study participate in a variety of activities at the University of Bristol’s psychology lab. Alongside playing scientifically designed games, they undergo brain scans, including MRI scans at six months, three years, and five years old. These scans allow scientists to track the physical development of the brain and how it corresponds to cognitive abilities.
One game involves tapping a smiling face on an iPad, which typically appears on the right. When the face switches to the left, researchers monitor whether the child notices the change and adapts their response. This simple task is crucial for measuring inhibitory control, the ability to stop automatic reactions and focus on new information. “This is a vital skill in school,” explains assistant Carmel Brough. Children need to resist distractions and alter ingrained habits to absorb new material effectively.
Meanwhile, other children, like two-year-old Jackson, play a memory game that tests their ability to recall information. In this game, a researcher hides stickers in pots and asks the child to remember where they are. If successful, the child gets to keep the stickers. This activity measures working memory, a critical cognitive skill used in problem-solving, following instructions, and learning new concepts. Dr. Holmboe points out that these fundamental mental functions are the building blocks for skills like reading and math.
Past Discoveries Drive New Research Into Childhood Potential
The study builds on insights from a larger project that began over 30 years ago, which followed 14,500 children born in 1991 and 1992. While the focus of that research was health, it led to major discoveries about conditions such as obesity, autism, and mental health. The data collected from that project helped shape global research and has been cited in thousands of scientific papers.
For instance, the earlier study showed that picky eating rarely impacts long-term health, which relieved many parents’ worries. It also found that one in five young people showed signs of fatty liver disease, with poor diets and alcohol being the primary contributors. These findings helped identify preventive measures. More recently, the research revealed that children who didn’t eat enough oily fish were less social and empathetic.
Now, the focus is on the next generation—the children of the original study participants. Researchers are keen to understand how early brain development influences long-term abilities, including emotional and social skills. They’ll follow these children closely until they begin school, aiming to detect any early signs of cognitive challenges.
Dr. Holmboe’s Vision for Early Intervention
Dr. Holmboe explains that the ultimate goal of the research is to help children before cognitive difficulties become long-term issues. “By the time children reach school, much of their cognitive foundation is already set,” she says. “It’s critical to intervene earlier, when it matters most.”
Emily, a participant in the original study, now brings her son Henry to the lab. She smiles as she watches him play, explaining that she has stayed involved because she finds the research fascinating. “My mum signed me up,” she says. “Now I choose to stay involved because I see how valuable this research could be for future generations.”
This multi-generational research project has the potential to reshape how we think about childhood development. By studying the early cognitive skills that children build, researchers hope to provide better support before difficulties become ingrained. Through games, brain scans, and a unique link to a decades-long health study, scientists are uncovering how young minds develop and how to best nurture them for a lifetime of learning.