The Biomedical Society were lucky to be joined by Dr Lyndsey Hookway who gave an inspirational talk that described how the first 1001 days of life profoundly shape a child’s long‑term wellbeing through the development of secure attachment. She emphasised that consistent, attuned caregiving builds trust, emotional security and resilience. The pupils were challenged in their understanding of how our environment affects our genes through the mechanism of epigenetics; and in this context how early experiences influence stress response systems. The talk moved on to contrast ancestral caregiving practices with modern societal pressures—such as limited parental leave, rapid return to work, social media, and materialism, that hinder responsive parenting. The talk highlighted global differences in child wellbeing linked to supportive policies and environments, challenges myths about “easy” babies, and invited reflection on how cultural expectations and policy changes could better support families and promote healthier futures for the next generation. It was a fascinating talk that brought to life elements of Biology and Psychology and challenged our perception of what good parenting looks like.
Article written by Mr Whitehead, Biomedical Society lead
Categories: Academic
