Two-year-old Henry sits in a bright research lab, eyes fixed on an iPad. When a smiling face pops up, he taps the screen. In return, he sees a dancing cartoon animal. It looks like fun, but it’s also science. Henry wears a soft cap with sensors that track his brain activity as he plays. This helps researchers measure how his brain controls focus and attention—skills that form the base of learning.

This is part of a major research project led by scientists at the University of Bristol. The team wants to understand how young children begin to control impulses, shift attention, and build working memory. These early skills matter for learning and school success. But until now, it hasn’t been clear when they start to form.

A Rare Two-Generation Study in Child Development

What makes this study special is that it spans two generations. The toddlers being studied today are children of women who joined a similar project back in the early 1990s. That earlier study followed more than 14,000 children from birth. Now, their own children are taking part in a second round of research.

Dr. Karla Holmboe, who leads the new phase, says this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. “We have data going back over 30 years,” she explains. “Now we can look at how a parent’s childhood health and environment may shape their child’s brain.”

That long-term view is key to early support. Some kids struggle when they start school—not because they are less smart, but because their brains need more time to build focus or memory. Dr. Holmboe says knowing when and how to help could prevent many long-term problems.

Fun and Games with Serious Purpose

The lab is filled with puzzles, iPads, and soft chairs. But every game has a purpose. Toddlers visit the lab at 6 months, 3 years, and 5 years. During each visit, they play games while their brain activity is tracked. This helps researchers see how attention, self-control, and memory develop over time.

In one game, Henry sees a face always pop up on the right side of the screen. Then suddenly, it appears on the left. The researchers watch if he keeps tapping the right or notices the switch. “This shows if a child can pause and change focus,” says research assistant Carmel Brough. That skill—called cognitive flexibility—is vital in school.

Two-year-old Jackson plays a memory game instead. A researcher hides stickers under colored pots. If Jackson remembers where they’re hidden, he gets to keep them. “That’s working memory in action,” says Dr. Holmboe. “It helps children solve problems, follow instructions, and even remember where they left a toy.”

What We’re Learning from 30 Years of Data

The original project, launched in 1991, found key links between childhood health, diet, and behavior. It showed, for example, that being a picky eater rarely causes long-term issues. It also revealed that one in five young people had signs of early fatty liver disease—often linked to poor diets or alcohol use.

In another finding, children who ate little oily fish were less social and kind. These insights helped shape better health advice and policies in the UK and beyond.

Now, the research team wants to see how a parent’s childhood health might shape their child’s brain development. The new phase focuses on toddlers from these original families. They will be tracked as they grow and start school.

Helping Children Before Problems Begin

Emily, Henry’s mother, was part of the first study herself. “My mum signed me up when I was a baby,” she says. “Now I bring my son. It’s amazing to see the research come full circle.”

Dr. Holmboe hopes this work will help teachers and doctors spot early warning signs and give support sooner. “By the time a child starts school, many learning patterns are already set,” she says. “If we act early, we can give every child a better chance.”

After his game, Henry removes the sensor cap. Emily helps him pack up and smiles. “He thinks it’s all fun. He loves the snacks and puzzles. But we also know it’s helping future families.”