Links to other Longitudinal Studies


Millennium Cohort Study
www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/default.asp

The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) is UK wide and aims to understand the social conditions around birth and early childhood to provide evidence for major policy initiatives. The sample population for the study was drawn from all live births in the UK over 12 months from 1 September 2000 in England & Wales and 1 December 2000 in Scotland & Northern Ireland. The sample ensures adequate representation of all four UK countries, deprived areas and areas with high concentrations of Black and Asian families. 2,336 families in Scotland participated in the MCS at Sweep 1, when the children were 9 months old. Further sweeps of data collection have taken place at ages 3 (MCS2 2004/5), and 5 (MCS3 2006/7). Sweep 4 is currently underway, with the children now aged 7. Research findings are available from the web address above.

The Centre for Longitudinal Studies is also responsible for the National Child Development Study following a cohort of people born in one week in 1958 and for the1970 Birth Cohort Study.

Growing Up in Australia
www.aifs.gov.au/growingup/

The study aims to examine the impact of Australia's unique social and cultural environment on the next generation and will further understanding of early childhood development, inform social policy debate, and be used to identify opportunities for early intervention and prevention strategies in policy areas concerning children. The study is following 2 cohorts of children over 7 years. 5000 children aged less than 12 months in 2003/4 will be followed until they reach 6-7 years and 5000 children aged 3-4 in 2003/4 will be followed until they reach 10-11 years of age. Data collection takes place every 2 years. Research findings are available from the web address above.

Growing Up in Ireland
www.growingup.ie/
The main aim of the study is to paint a full picture of children in Ireland and how they are developing in the current social, economic and cultural environment. The Study was launched in January 2007 and comprises 2 groups of children – 8,000 nine year olds (Child Cohort) and 10,000 babies at nine months (Infant Cohort). Children, parents and teachers are participating in the study. Families in the child cohort are visited when their child is 9 and again at age 14. Families in the infant cohort will be visited when their child is around 9 months old and again at age 3.

The Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children (DALSC)
http://www.sfi.dk/Default.aspx?ID=3214
DALSC is tracking a group of 6,000 Danish children from infancy through to adulthood. The Study aims to provide representative information about children’s family conditions and development. A sample of 6,000 children born in 1995 was selected at random. Waves of fieldwork have taken place with children and families at 3 months, 3 years, 5 years and 11 years. Survey data has been linked to administrative data. DALSC also comprises a smaller ethnic survey of children of mothers with non-Danish citizenship and Children in Care, a study of all children born in 1995 who are, or at one time have been, placed in care environments, e.g. foster homes or residential institutions. Both sub-studies include approximately 600 children.

Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/

Supported by the University of Bristol, ALSPAC originated in the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy & Childhood (ELSPAC). The study's main aim is to understand the ways in which the physical and social environment interact, over time, with genetic inheritance, to affect children's health, behaviour and development. 14,000 children born in 1991 and 1992 in the County of Avon, South West England (and their parents) will be followed into adulthood. Questionnaires and publications are available on the website.

Danish National Birth Cohort
www.ssi.dk/sw9314.asp
The aim of this study is to provide more information about the period from conception to early childhood and how this period influences health conditions that reach into later stages of life. All pregnant women in the years 1997-2002 were invited to participate in the study by their GP or midwife. The aim was to recruit 100,000 women. The study involves four interviews - the first in the 12th of pregnancy, second at 30th week of pregnancy, third when the child is 6 months old and fourth when the child is 18 months old. Research findings are available through the website above.

Canadian National Longitudinal Study of Children and Youth
www.statcan.ca

This study collects a wealth of information to explore the many factors influencing the social, emotional and behavioural development of children over time. The study is following a representative sample of Canadian children from 0 to 25 years of age, with data collection occurring at two-year intervals. The 7th cycle of data collection took place in 2007 and comprised 37,655 children and young people aged from 0-9 years and 12-23 years. Data collection for the 8th cycle is due to start in September 2008. Publications available from the web address above.

US Early Childhood Longitudinal Study
http://nces.ed.gov/ecls/

The ECLS is following 2 groups of children. The Birth Cohort comprises 14,000 children born in 2001. The sample is nationally representative with oversamples of Asian and Pacific Islander children, American Indian and Alaska Native children, Chinese children, twins, and low and very low birth weight children. Data collection takes place at 9 months, 2 years, pre-school and kindergarten, from parents, children and teachers. The study is also following a Kindergarten Cohort from kindergarten through to the 8th grade. The multifaceted data collected across the years allows researchers and policymakers to study how various student, home, classroom, school, and community factors at various points in the child’s life relate to cognitive and social development.