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WA, Queensland leading nation’s improvements in early childhood outcomesWestern Australia and Queensland are leading the nation when it comes to ensuring children have a good start at school, according to a study by researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

News & Events
How to tell if your baby is meeting their social and developmental milestonesPaediatrician and researcher Dr Lana Bell shares some important milestones for social development to look out for in the first year of life.

News & Events
Brain & Behaviour community forumWe invite you to join us for a community forum on the future of research in our Brain & Behaviour Research Focus Area.
Research
Does late childbearing increase the risk for behavioural problems in children? a longitudinal cohort studyThis study aimed to examine the relationship between advanced parental age and behavioural outcomes in offspring in a longitudinal cohort of children in WA.
Research
Evaluating a community-based early childhood education and development program in Indonesia: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trialThe aim of the trial is to evaluate a community-based early education and development program launched by the Government of Indonesia.
Research
Parental occupational exposure to potential endocrine disrupting chemicals and risk of hypospadias in infantsRates and types of hospitalisations for children who have subsequent contact with the child protection system: a population based case-control study
Research
Evaluating Early Childhood Education and CareEvaluating Early Childhood Education and Care
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Clustering of psychosocial symptoms in overweight childrenThe aims of the present study were to (i) examine the relationship between children's degree of adiposity and psychosocial functioning; and (ii) compare patterns of clustering of psychosocial measures between healthy weight and overweight/obese children.
Research
Children's views on outdoor advertising of unhealthy food and beverages near schoolsChildren are often exposed to unhealthy outdoor food advertisements during the school commute. This exposure can have negative public health consequences given childhood weight gain has been linked to the marketing of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. This study aimed to explore schoolchildren's lived experiences and attitudes towards outdoor advertising surrounding their schools.
Research
Children arriving hungry in the first year of school: population trends in Australia from 2009 to 2021Access to adequate nutrition is a human right. In 2023, 23% of Australian households were severely food insecure, reducing food intake, skipping meals or days of eating. Food insecurity in early childhood is linked to poor health and development. Specifically, breakfast provides children with the necessary nutrients required for sustained attention, memory, and cognitive growth. Australian research has reported that one in three children aged 8–18 years regularly skip breakfast. However, there is little understanding of the prevalence of food insecurity among young children in Australia.