A pioneering ESRC study by linguistics researchers has shown that 'story time' in primary schools can be used as a subtle way to introduce complex language structures to young children.

More than a quarter of young people are growing up in families that face multiple challenges - with potentially damaging effects on children's development.

An ESRC-funded study investigating the long-term outcomes of babies being fed on schedule versus on demand has revealed that babies who are fed on demand perform academically better during childhood than their schedule-fed peers.

Migrant women maintain their emotional and parenting bond with left-behind children through frequent use of new media - including mobile phone, texting, email, webcam calls and instant messaging.

Children who are allowed to play outside in wet weather actually get less exercise than those who are kept indoors, according to ESRC-supported research carried out on primary school pupils.

The quality of sibling relationships is key to children's sense of well-being, shows research from Understanding Society.