UNDERSTANDING HOW EARLY ENVIRONMENTS INFLUENCE DEVELOPMENT
The Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth is based in East London, in one of the most sociodemographically diverse regions in the world. We have developed innovative, world-leading methods to study how early environments shape early development. We use these insights to provide consultancy, training, and policy advice.
Research at ISEY
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Studying Real-world Home Environments
We know that the environment in which a child grows up in profoundly influences their development. But, at the moment, our tools for measuring how environments influence early development are surprisingly limited..
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Information Complexity in Screen Media and the Developing Brain
Our brains work by generating and testing predictions – but younger brains, which are messy and inefficient, are presumably less good at ‘keeping up’ with fast-paced information.
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Noise in Early Years for Children from Underprivileged Backgrounds
Excessive noise disrupts language learning in school-aged children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, but its effects in the earliest years remain largely unknown.
Consultancy & Training
Our research uses the state-of-the-art research methods, developed using wearable devices and machine learning, to capture real-time data on how various products and environments influence children's mood, engagement and learning moment-by-moment. This approach also enables us to explore how these factors impact interactions between children and their family members.
Backed by rigorous studies, we offer a range of neuroscience informed training and support for school leaders, teachers and early years practitioners.
In the Press
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Daily Mail - ISEY at Queen’s Literary Festival
Read about The Queen’s Literary Festival where Prof Sam Wass spoke about The Neuroscience of Reading & Healing
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Take Action on Distraction wins Professional Book Award
Read about the winners of the 2025 Nursery World Awards
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King Charles visits our labs at UEL
Read press coverage about King Charles visiting the ISEY BabyDev lab
