Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

A project led by Alex Hendry working with Oxford Brookes has engaged with parents and early years practitioners in a bid to help families spend more time playing with their children.

Since the start of the pandemic, Alex Hendry has been working with Nayeli Gonzalez-Gomez and researchers from around the country via the Oxford Brookes Babylab to learn more about children’s development during COVID restrictions.

The resulting research showed there have been clear benefits for children who were able to access early childhood education and/or had a rich home learning environment during lockdowns. This was particularly notable in the area of executive function development – Alex Hendry’s field of expertise.

These findings continue to be shared widely with policymakers and other stakeholders. However, knowing families were in a unique position to support their children during this time, Alex was keen to do something that would have an immediate impact.

Together with Nayeli, she secured funding to engage directly with families and practitioners in the Oxford area. Their aim was to empower parents to support their children’s development via simple but enriching activities.

Read more

Similar stories

New insights into chemogenetic designer drugs to enhance our study of behaviour

A collaborative team of researchers in DPAG and Pharmacology led by Dr Lukas Krone have uncovered striking new data demonstrating that two widely used designer drugs used to turn populations of neurons on and off in the brain cause unexpected effects on sleep. These results demonstrate a critical need to improve chemogenetic approaches in behavioural studies.

Ensuring LGBTQI+ people are treated fairly in mental health data

Andrey Kormilitzin outlines a new participatory study aimed at improving AI to take account of LGBTQI+ people so that their needs are better met by mental health services.

Major trials to test effectiveness of cannabidiol on psychosis

Global study involving three clinical trials will investigate the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating people with psychosis or psychotic symptoms, thanks to a multi-million pound grant to Oxford University.

Friendship and mental health in adolescents

Tanya Manchanda's new paper investigates the role of friendship on the mental health outcomes of adolescents

NICE recommends digital mental health technologies from Oxford

Two digital tools were recommended for use in the NHS to help children and young people with symptoms of anxiety or low mood.