ISEY

Is there a "just right" sensory environment for young children?

At the ISEY Imaginarium, our researchers are exploring what happens when babies experience different sensory environments. Some environments may be overwhelming, others may not provide enough stimulation, while some may offer the right balance to support attention, engagement and regulation.

Using a combination of eye tracking, heart rate monitoring, brain activity measures and behavioural observations, we are building a richer picture of how young children experience the world around them.

A key aim of this work is to better understand the mechanisms that underpin regulation and dysregulation. What happens physiologically when a child becomes overwhelmed? What supports a return to a calm, engaged state? How do these processes change as children grow and develop?

By understanding the biological and behavioural foundations of regulation, we hope to identify practical ways to support children across a range of environments and contribute to the design of spaces that help young children thrive.

What better way to spend International Day of Play than by playing? 🎈

Today, children and families joined us in the lab as part of a research project with TTS, exploring how young children interact with a range of new glow resources.

Through play, children explored, created, experimented, and shared their ideas, while helping us better understand how different resources support engagement and interaction.

A huge thank you to all the children and families who took part. We had a brilliant day celebrating play and learning together.

Play is something we are deeply passionate about at ISEY. It is a fundamental right for every child and a core pillar of early childhood development, supporting learning, communication, creativity, wellbeing, and social connection.

No single profession can fully understand the whole child in isolation. That's why collaboration matters.

This week, we hosted our first Special Policy Forum to explore a challenge hiding in plain sight: the impact of everyday noise on early learning.

Researchers, educators, speech and language specialists, acousticians, policymakers and sector leaders came together to share perspectives, challenge assumptions and discuss how we can better understand the environments in which young children learn.

Complex challenges require more than one perspective. By bringing together expertise from across research, practice and policy, we can build a stronger evidence base and develop solutions that make a meaningful difference for children, families and educators.

A huge thank you to our funders, expert advisory panel and everyone who took the time to contribute to the discussion. Meaningful change happens when research, practice and policy come together with a shared commitment to improving outcomes for children and creating a fairer start in life.

Want to see where the research leads?

Scan the QR code to follow our work on noise, communication and early learning, and to access our policy briefing.

SpeechAndLanguage SocialMobility NuffieldFoundation

🧠✨ What is the science behind socialising in groups?

Researchers at the University of East London are looking for adults aged 21+ to take part in an exciting study exploring social interaction and human connection.

Participants will take part in fun weekly social activities while contributing to important psychological research.

📍 Stratford, East London�
⏱️ 1 hour/week for 6 weeks�
🛍️ Receive up to £100 in shopping vouchers

Deadline to enrol: Thursday, 4th June 2026, 4 pm.

Interested? Scan the QR code in the flyer, email [email protected], or visit isey.org for more information.

Feel free to share with friends or anyone who may be interested 👇

Interested in helping shape the future of early childhood research? ✨

At the Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth, we are currently recruiting families for a range of exciting research studies exploring early development, sensory environments, screen media, play, attention, and learning.

Our studies involve fun, child-friendly activities both in the lab and at home, helping us better understand how young children experience the world around them.

Families who take part receive thank-you vouchers or gifts, and most importantly, contribute to research that could help improve understanding and support for children and families.

Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to find out more and register your interest 💫

Hello all🙋🏻

Only a few more days to sign up for our study on how group socialising affects the brain!🧠

We’ve got fun activities planned, and you’ll be contributing to some very important science. What’s not to like?

So, if you're interested or want to know more, please email [email protected] or scan QR code below.👇🏻

Have a lovely week!🙂

Parents and carers of babies and young children, ISEY would love to hear from you.

Taking part is voluntary, family-friendly, and fully explained before you decide. families to register interest in future early years research at the University of East London.

Our work explores how babies and young children learn, connect, and respond to the world around them, helping improve support for families, educators, and practitioners.

Taking part is voluntary, family friendly, and fully explained before you decide.

Interested? Go to ( https://www.isey.org/take-part ) to find out more.

A space to play, explore, connect, and learn together 🌿🧸

Every Wednesday, the team at the Institute for the Science of Early Years & Youth (ISEY) opens our lab space for free stay and play sessions for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers.

These sessions are designed to provide a calm, welcoming environment where children can explore through play while families connect with others in the community.

We’re passionate about creating spaces that support early development, curiosity, communication, and wellbeing in the earliest years of life.

📍 UEL ISEY Lab, Water Lane, Stratford E15 4LZ
🕙 Wednesdays, 10am–11:30am
📧 No booking needed. Questions? [email protected]

We’d love to see you there 👋🏻