The Toddlers Up Study
Department of Psychology
Following Up at Age 3
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​Following a similar recipe to that of the first round, the Toddlers Up team was now in prime position to take a look at how children's abilities and relationships changed from one year to the next. An interesting addition to this round was a brief interview with our participants on their thoughts and feelings about their own recordings from the first round.
Life at Nursery: Visiting Schools at Age 4
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As our participants moved from their toddler groups to nursery school, a new dynamic was added to the Toddlers Up study. Although still interested in their home lives, this round of data collection took place at the children's nursery school to catch a glimpse of their behaviour in class and with their friends.
Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting at Age 10
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​After a brief hiatus, the inspiration for longitudinal research was rekindled as participants were preparing to enter the exciting world of secondary school. Over 100 of the original families recruited 8 years earlier were still keen to participate and the school visits at this round gave our team a range of new areas of development to explore! Children were interviewed about their growing friendships and what they were looking forward to in secondary school. The inclusion of different puzzles and short films brought this round full circle to make it one of the best waves yet!
Adjusting to Secondary School: Home Visits at Age 11
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After bridging the gap at age 10, the Toddlers Up team decided to get back to their roots and visit participants in their homes again. These visits not only focused on how their family lives may have changed over the last 10 years but also included a number of different games and activities for the children and their participating mother and sibling to enjoy!
PREVIOUS WAVES
First Contact: Recruiting the Toddlers
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After visiting many toddler groups, the Toddlers Up study was ready to begin! With 144 families, two home visits and special sessions at the laboratory, this first round of data collection laid a solid foundation for years to come! The home visits allowed us to peak into the toddlers daily home life and how they got along with their families whilst the lab sessions included a number of different tasks for the mums and tots to enjoy.
Entering Primary: An In-depth Look at Age 6
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​After learning a great deal about how children's early home lives are linked to their first experiences of school, the Toddlers Up team decided to touch base with the children again as they entered primary school. This round not only took a look at how children were doing in the classroom but also visited the participating families in their homes and at the laboratory. A fruitful addition to the on-going research to say the least!
