University marks World Prematurity Day

The University of Leicester is once again marking World Prematurity Day (15 November) by lighting the Attenborough Tower purple to reflect solidarity.

World Prematurity Day (WPD) aims to raise awareness of the impact of premature birth on families and the challenges that may be faced by premature babies. 

A motto, Professor Samantha Johnson, a developmental psychologist and Professor of Child Development at the University, works towards every day.

She is among a group of researchers at the University striving to help improve outcomes for children and families affected by premature birth through various initiatives including the Preterm Birth Information for Education Professionals.

This free online training resource has been developed by Professor Johnson and her colleagues in the PRISM (Premature Infants; Skills in Mathematics) Study Team.

It outlines the impact premature birth can have on a child's development and learning and offers practical ways that schools and early years settings can support premature children if they need it. A staggering 38,000 people have benefitted from the training to date. 

Professor Johnson said: “We know that children born prematurely are more likely to have difficulties with their development and learning than children born at term. We want all children to reach their full potential and that’s why we developed this free training – so that those who look after and educate children have all the knowledge, facts and understanding needed to ensure those born prematurely thrive. We’re extremely proud of the work that’s taken place so far to help young people and their families. 

"Difficulties children born prematurely can have include lower attention and concentration levels, memory and processing difficulties, or difficulty with social and emotional development, so it’s vital that early identification and support can be put in place to make a difference to a child’s wellbeing. 

“Our training provides school staff and early years practitioners with the right information and tools to support prematurely born children and their families as they go through their school journey from early years upwards.”

Children born before 37 weeks of gestation are known as preterm, while those born before 28 weeks are known as extremely preterm. Although extremely preterm births make up only a small percentage of all births, these children are more likely than term-born children to need some degree of extra support as they grow older. 

Professor Johnson’s research has also contributed to the development of the Prem Aware Award run by The Smallest Things charity. Launched by the charity in 2020 the scheme aims to ensure schools and early years settings are aware of the impact of prematurity so that they are better prepared to support premature children and their families.

To date 373 schools and early years settings have completed the Prem Aware Award and hundreds more are working towards it.

Earlier this year, thanks to funding from the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account, the university helped The Smallest Things charity develop a new online tool to allow parents and carers to find their nearest ‘Prem Aware’ school or early years setting. 

This helps parents and carers make informed choices about which school or early years setting might be best for their premature child.

Catriona Ogilvy, Founder and Director of The Smallest Things Charity, said: “Starting nursery and moving into school can be a big step for families who have experienced neonatal care. Knowing that staff understand their child’s journey and have the knowledge and training to recognise and respond to any additional needs, provides important reassurance for parents.

“Parents are not only using the new Prem Aware Finder Map to search for local nurseries and schools ready to support them and their child born prematurely, but they are also helping us to identify gaps on the map. By working together, we are actively increasing the number of Prem Aware settings right across the UK so that all parents have the opportunity to choose a Prem Aware setting.

“The Smallest Things is delighted to continue working with Professor Samantha Johnson and the University of Leicester, putting their evidence-based resources into everyday practice and helping ensure that every child born prematurely has the understanding and support they need to thrive."