For the past 70 years, scientists in Britain have been studying thousands of children through their lives to find out why some end up happy and healthy while others struggle. It's the longest-running study of human development in the world, and it's produced some of the best-studied people on the planet while changing the way we live, learn and parent. Reviewing this remarkable research, science journalist Helen Pearson shares some important findings and simple truths about life and good parenting.

Lessons from the longest study on human development

A remarkable 70-year study tracking over 70,000 British children shows that early life circumstances have a powerful impact on future health, happiness, and success. Children born into poverty consistently faced greater challenges, including being a year behind in school by age three. Yet small, engaged acts from parents—like reading daily and taking interest in education—can help children overcome some disadvantages. The research reveals that both poverty and parenting matter deeply, though neither alone tells the full story.

Parenting and Poverty Shape Lives More Than We Realize

*The Life Project: The Extraordinary Story of 70,000 Ordinary Lives*

communication

education

economics

humanity

happiness

journalism

parenting

personal growth

science

relationships

data

aging

kids

TED Stage Talk

Helen Pearson: Lessons from the longest study on human development