Colchester families can now tap into the latest science on infant minds through a free online course launched by the University of Essex. Developed by the Essex Babylab in the Department of Psychology alongside parenting experts BabyBrains, the programme translates developmental research into practical, everyday tips for parents and caregivers.
Hosted on the university’s OpenEssex platform, the course is designed to fit around busy lives with short videos, animations, and reflective activities. Each chapter takes roughly 30 minutes to complete, covering how babies learn about their bodies, communicate their needs, and how early relationships shape development. Dr Carina de Klerk, senior lecturer at the Essex Babylab, said the aim is to help caregivers “understand what might be going on from their baby’s perspective.”
The Babylab, part of the Centre for Brain Science on the Colchester Campus, has spent years studying infant learning through playful, child-friendly research. Its work spans imitation, body awareness, emerging eating habits, and early communication. Families with children under three often take part in these studies, and the lab runs monthly coffee mornings where parents can hear about the latest findings. The new course extends that reach, making the same science accessible online.
Since its launch on 7 July 2026, the course has already been picked up by early years organisations and local authorities. Parents and caregivers can sign up and work through the material whenever it suits them. The platform also offers other professional development courses, with this one focused on the cognitive world of babies.
For Colchester families, it offers a chance to understand what is going on inside a developing mind during the early years.
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