Explore and Imagine Child Development and Parenting

Join child development researchers from institutions across Northern Ireland to learn about development throughout primary and secondary school!

Parents and children can participate in hands-on activities to find out about language development, literacy development, physical development, and more; resources will also be available for parents on support services throughout Northern Ireland.

Families can also find out about the methods that researchers use to find out about development, and try them out! Explore our research on children's language development with our colouring book and sticker games; step into the shoes of a social psychologist with an interview activity, and challenge your balance and aim with our physical activities.

The event also aims to understand parents’ preferences for seeking information on child development and parenting in NI, and any challenges to accessing information and support services. This approach was taken at the recent ESRC Festival of Social Science in collaboration with Parentline NI, and identified a wide range of sources; based on these discussions with parents, the NI Child Development Network aims to develop a collection of recommended resources to be shared at future events.

Also check out other Contests in Belfast, Festivals in Belfast.