Overview
Helen is Professor of Psychology in the School of Psychology and Sport Science and a Visiting Professor at the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica. Helen’s research focuses on early childhood interventions to promote child development, behaviour and mental health and to prevent violence against children in low and middle-income countries.
Helen leads the Irie Toolbox Team within CAIHR, UWI whose work involves designing, implementing, evaluating and scaling up interventions to prevent violence against children at home and at school.
Helen is also a member of the Reach-Up team. Reach Up is an evidence-based, early childhood parenting intervention implemented in more than twenty countries across the Caribbean and Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and with refugee populations in the Middle East.
Additional Contact Information
h.henningham@bangor.ac.uk
Qualifications
- MSc: Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, King's College London, 2008 - PhD: International Child Health
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 2003 - MSc: Community Disability Studies for Developing Countries
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 1998
Teaching and Supervision
Helen teaches a module entitled 'Global Early Childhood' at the Masters level
Research Interests
Helen's main research interests are in the design, implementation, evaluation and scaling up of early childhood interventions to promote child development and behaviour and to prevent violence against children in low and middle-income countries. She is currently working on research projects in Jamaica, Bangladesh, Colombia, Indonesia and Kenya.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2025
- PublishedA feasibility trial of an early childhood, violence prevention, parenting program integrated into early childhood educational provision in Jamaica: A study protocol
Francis, T., Bowers, M. & Baker-Henningham, H., 2025, In: Developmental Psychology.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - Accepted/In pressA mixed-method feasibility trial of an early childhood, violence prevention, parenting program integrated into preschool provision in Jamaica
Baker-Henningham, H., Francis, T. & Bowers, M., Mar 2025, (Accepted/In press) Inter-American Development Bank.
Research output: Working paper - PublishedCost-effectiveness analysis of two integrated early childhood development programs into Bangladeshi primary health-care services
Hossain, S. J., Palmer, T., Tipu, S. M. M. U., Mehrin, S. F., Shiraji, S., Bhuiyan, M. S. A., Salveen, N.-E., Tofail, F., Baker-Henningham, H., Haghparast-Bidgoli, H. & Hamadani, J., 1 Apr 2025, In: The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia. 35, 100564.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2024
- PublishedCost-Effectiveness Analysis of Two Integrated Early Childhood Development Programs into Bangladeshi Primary Health-Care Services.
Hossain, S. J., Palmer, T., Tipu, S. M. M. U., Mehrin, S. F., Shiraji, S., Hasan, M. I., Bhuiyan, S. A., Salveen, N.-E., Tofail, F., Baker-Henningham, H., Haghparast-Bidgoli, H. & Hamadani, J., 9 May 2024, Social Science Research Network (SSRN).
Research output: Working paper › Preprint - PublishedLa Estrategia Apapacho para la Promoción de la Crianza Amorosa y Sensible y la Prevención de la Violencia en la Primera Infancia: Manual de Facilitación
Cuartas, J., Borbón, J., Beccassino Arjona, L., Guerra Rubio, M., Rey-Guerra, C. & Baker-Henningham, H., Jun 2024, 120 p.
Research output: Other contribution - PublishedPrevention of violence against children: a qualitative exploration of Colombian policymakers', program facilitators', and caregivers' perceptions
Cuartas, J., Beccassino Arjona, L., Baker-Henningham, H., Pineda Diaz, O. & Fernanda Rodríguez, M., Sept 2024, In: Child: Care Health and Development. 50, 5, e13325.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Virtual Irie Homes Toolbox: Adaptation and remote delivery of an early childhood, violence prevention, parenting program in Jamaica
Francis, T., Dinarte Diaz, L., Powers, S. & Baker-Henningham, H., 19 Jan 2024, In: Journal of Research in Childhood Education. 38, Supplement 1, p. S92-S111
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2023
- PublishedA Qualitative Evaluation of the Mechanisms of Action in an Early Childhood Parenting Programme to Prevent Violence Against Children in Jamaica
Francis, T., Packer, D. & Baker-Henningham, H., May 2023, In: Child: Care Health and Development. 49, 3, p. 579-590 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImplementation quality of an early childhood parenting program in Colombia and child development
Bernal, R., Gomez Alvarado, M., Santiago, P.-C. & Baker-Henningham, H., 1 May 2023, In: Pediatrics. 151, supplement 2, e2023060221J.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntegrando teoría evidencia y contexto para informar el diseño de programas de prevención de violencia en la primera infancia
Cuartas, J., Beccassino Arjona, L. & Baker-Henningham, H., 26 Jan 2023, Integrando teoría evidencia y contexto para informar el diseño de programas de prevención de violencia en la primera infancia. Centro de Estudios Sobre Seguridad Y Drogas (CESED), Facultad de Economica, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, Vol. Documento Temático #35. 44 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter - PublishedScaling-Up an Early childhood Parenting Intervention by Integrating into Government Health Care Services in Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial
Mehrin, S. F., Salveen, N.-E., Kawsir, M., Grantham-McGregor, S., Hamadani, J. D. & Baker-Henningham, H., Jul 2023, In: Child: Care Health and Development. 49, 4, p. 750-759 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Process of Scaling Early Childhood Violence Prevention Programs in Jamaica
Baker-Henningham, H., Bowers, M. & Francis, T., 1 May 2023, In: Pediatrics. 151, Supplement 2, e2023060221M.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Reach Up Parenting Program, Child Development, and Maternal Depression: A Meta-analysis
Jervis, P., Coore-Hall, J., O Pitchik, H., Arnold, C., Grantham-McGregor, S., Rubio-Codina, M., Baker-Henningham, H., Fernald, L., Hamadani, J., Smith, J. A., Trias, J. & Walker, S., 1 May 2023, In: Pediatrics. 151, Suppl 2, e2023060221D.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUsing lessons learnt from key stakeholders to increase support for scaling the Reach Up early childhood parenting program
Coore-Hall, J., Smith, J., Kelly, M., Baker-Henningham, H., Chang, S. & Walker, S., 8 Aug 2023, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 11, p. 1151826 1151826.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedViolent Discipline and Parental Behavior : Short- and Medium-term Effects of Virtual Parenting Support to Caregivers
Dinarte Diaz, L., Ravindran, S., Shah, M., Powers, S. & Baker-Henningham, H., 26 Jun 2023, Washington D.C.: World Bank Group, (Policy Research Working Paper; Impact Evaluation Series; no. WPS10507).
Research output: Working paper - PublishedViolent Discipline and Parental Behavior: Short- and Medium-Term Effects of Virtual Parenting Support to Caregivers
Dinarte Diaz, L., Ravindran, S., Shah, M., Powers, S. & Baker-Henningham, H., 12 Jun 2023, National Bureau of Economic Research, (NBER Working Paper Series; vol. Working Paper 31338).
Research output: Working paper
2022
- PublishedEarly Stimulation and Nutrition: The Impacts of a Scalable Intervention
Attanasio, O., Baker-Henningham, H., Bernal, R., Meghir, C., Pineda, D. & Rubio-Codina, M., Aug 2022, In: Journal of the European Economic Association. 20, 4, p. 1395-1432 38 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntegrating a Group-Based, Early Childhood Parenting Intervention into Primary Health Care Services in Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial
Mehrin, S. F., Hasan, M. I., Tofail, F., Shiraji, S., Ridout, D., Grantham-McGregor, S., Hamadani, J. D. & Baker-Henningham, H., 10 Jun 2022, In: Frontiers in Pediatrics. 10, 10 p., 886542.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedQualitative Evaluation of a Scalable Early Childhood Parenting Programme in Rural Colombia
Gomez , M. L., Bernal, R. & Baker-Henningham, H., Mar 2022, In: Child: Care Health and Development. 48, 2, p. 225-238
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Apapacho Violence Prevention Parenting Program: Conceptual Foundations and Pathways to Scale
Cuartas, J., Baker-Henningham, H., Cepeda, A. & Rey-Guerra, C., 14 Jul 2022, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19, 14, p. 8582
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Irie Classroom Toolbox: Mixed method assessment to inform future implementation and scale up of an early childhood, teacher-training, violence prevention programme
Bowers, M., Francis, T. & Baker-Henningham, H., 13 Dec 2022, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 10, p. 1040952 19 p., 3389.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedAdapting an evidence-based, early childhood parenting programme for integration into government primary health care services in rural Bangladesh
Mehrin, S. F., Hamadani, J. D., Salveen, N.-E., Hasan, M. I., Hossain, S. J. & Baker-Henningham, H., 18 Jan 2021, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 8, 608173.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEffects of a Teacher-Training Violence Prevention Program in Jamaican Preschools on Child Behavior, Academic Achievement, and School Attendance in Grade One of Primary School: Follow up of a cluster randomized trial.
Baker-Henningham, H., Scott, Y., Francis, T. & Walker, S., 3 Jun 2021, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 12, 652050.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Irie Classroom Toolbox, a universal violence-prevention teacher-training programme, in Jamaican preschools: a single-blind, cluster-randomised controlled trial
Baker-Henningham, H., Bowers, M., Francis, T., Vera-Hernández, M. & Walker, S., 1 Apr 2021, In: The Lancet Global Health. 9, 4, E456-E468.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Irie Homes Toolbox: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of an Early Childhood Parenting Program to Prevent Violence Against Children in Jamaica
Francis, T. & Baker-Henningham, H., Jul 2021, In: Children and Youth Services Review. 126, 106060.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2020
- PublishedDesign and Implementation of the Irie Homes Toolbox: A Violence Prevention, Early Childhood, Parenting Program
Francis, T. & Baker-Henningham, H., 16 Nov 2020, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 8, 582961.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedEvaluation of a Violence-Prevention Programme with Jamaican Primary School Teachers: A Cluster Randomised Trial
Baker-Henningham, H., Scott, Y., Bowers, M. & Francis, T., 6 Aug 2019, In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16, 15, 18 p., 2797.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntegrating an early childhood development programme into the Bangladeshi Primary Health Care Services: A cluster randomised trial
Hamadani, J. D., Mehrin, S. F., Tofail, F., Hasan, M. I., Huda, S. N., Baker-Henningham, H., Ridout, D. & Grantham-McGregor, S., Mar 2019, In: The Lancet Global Health. 7, 3, p. E366-E375
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedLearning opportunities and responsive caregiving
Hamadani, J., Baker-Henningham, H., Tofail, F., Mehrin, S. & Grantham-McGregor, S., Jun 2019, In: The Lancet Global Health. 7, 6, p. e709 1 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
2018
- PublishedEarly stimulation and nutrition: The impacts of a scalable intervention
Attanasio, O., Baker-Henningham, H., Bernal, R., Meghir, C., Pineda, D. & Rubio-Codina, M., 17 Sept 2018, In: NBER Working Paper Series.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article - PublishedEffect of Transporting an Evidence-Based, Violence Prevention Intervention to Jamaican Preschools on Teacher and Class-wide Child Behaviour: A Cluster Randomised Trial
Baker-Henningham, H. & Walker, S., 19 Feb 2018, In: Global Mental Health. 5, e7.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImplementation of Reach-Up early childhood parenting programme: Appropriateness, acceptability and feasibility in Brazil and Zimbabwe
Smith, J. A., Baker-Henningham, H., Brentani, A., Mugweni, R. & Walker, S. P., 23 May 2018, In: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1419, 1, p. 120-140
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImplementation of parenting interventions through health services in Jamaica
Walker, S., Baker-Henningham, H., Chang, S., Powell, C., Lopez-Boo, F. & Grantham-McGregor, S., Apr 2018, In: Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. 13, 2, p. 127-141
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedParent's use of harsh punishment and young children's behaviour and achievement: A longitudinal study of Jamaican children with conduct problems
Baker-Henningham, H. & Francis, T., 12 Oct 2018, In: Global Mental Health. 5, e32.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Irie Classroom Toolbox: Developing a violence-prevention, preschool teacher-training program using evidence, theory and practice
Baker-Henningham, H., 23 May 2018, In: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1419, 1, p. 179-200
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Reach Up Early Childhood parenting program: origins, content and implementation
Reach Up Team, Mar 2018, In: Zero to Three. 38, 4, p. 37-43
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- PublishedThe Irie Classroom Toolbox
Baker-Henningham, H., 2017, University of the West Indies.
Research output: Book/Report › Book
2016
- PublishedIrie Classroom Toolbox: a study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial of a universal violence prevention programme in Jamaican preschools
Baker-Henningham, H., Vera-Hernández, M., Alderman, H. & Walker, S., 10 May 2016, In: BMJ Open. 6, 5, e012166.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMeasuring Parental Language to Target Families for Early-Intervention Services
Gridley, N., Baker-Henningham, H. & Hutchings, J., 8 Dec 2016, In: Child Care in Practice. 22, 4, p. 348-367 20 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedParenting Programme in Health Centres: What you do with baby really matters: implementation manual
Walker, S., Powell, C., Chang, S., Baker-Henningham, H., Grantham-McGregor, S. & Lopez-Boo, F. (Editor), Aug 2016, Inter-American Development Bank.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report - PublishedPrograma parental en los centros de salud Lo que usted hace con su bebé realmente importa
Walker, S., Powell, C., Chang, S., Baker-Henningham, H., Grantham-McGregor, S. & Lopez-Boo, F. (Editor), Aug 2016, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID).
Research output: Book/Report › Book - PublishedReach-Up and Learn
Grantham-McGregor, S., Walker, S., Powell, C., Chang-Lopez, S., Baker-Henningham, H., Hamadani, J. & Rubio-Codina, M., 2016, Kingston, Jamaica: University of the West Indies.
Research output: Book/Report › Book
2015
- PublishedA parenting intervention delivered at routine primary health visits improved child cognitive development and parenting knowledge
Chang, S. M., Grantham McGregor, S. M., Powell, C. A., Vera Hernández, M., Lopez Boo, F., Baker-Henningham, H. & Walker, S. P., 1 Dec 2015.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedIntegrating a Parenting Intervention with Routine Primary Health Care: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Chang, S. M., Grantham-McGregor, S. M., Powell, C. A., Vera-Hernandez, M., Lopez-Boo, F., Baker-Henningham, H. & Walker, S. P., 6 Jul 2015, In: Pediatrics. 136, 2, p. 272-280
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe Incredible Years Parent–Toddler Programme and parental language: a randomised controlled trial
Gridley, N., Hutchings, J. M. & Baker-Henningham, H., Jan 2015, In: Child: care, health and development. 41, 1, p. 103-111
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- PublishedIntervenciones de estimulación infantil temprana en los países en vías de desarrollo: Lo que funciona, por qué y para quién
Baker-Henningham, H. & Lopez-Boo, F., 2014, In: Económica: Journal of the Department of Economics. 60, p. 120-186 66 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTargeted, preventive interventions in primary school prevent mental health problems in adolescence
Baker-Henningham, H., 30 Jul 2014, In: Evidence-Based Mental Health. 17, 4, p. Article 121
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe role of early childhood education programmes in the promotion of child and adolescent mental health in low- and middle-income countries
Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Apr 2014, In: International Journal of Epidemiology. 43, 2, p. 407-433
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedAssociations between socio-economic disadvantage and parenting behaviours
Gridley, N., Hutchings, J. & Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Jan 2013, In: Journal of Children's Services. 8, 4, p. 254-263
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIntervenciones de estimulación infantil temprana en los países en vías de desarrollo: Lo que funciona, por qué y para quién
Baker-Henningham, H. & Lopez-Boo, F., 1 May 2013, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID).
Research output: Book/Report › Other report › peer-review - PublishedTargeted vs universal provision of support in high-risk communities: comparison of characteristics in two populations recruited to parenting interventions
Hutchings, J. M., Griffith, N., Bywater, T., Williams, M. & Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Jan 2013, In: Journal of Children's Services. 8, 3, p. 169-182
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2012
- PublishedBuilding human capacity through early childhood intervention: The Child Development Research Programme at the Tropical Medicine Research Institute, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
Walker, S. P., Chang, S. M., Powell, C. A. & Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Jul 2012, In: West Indian Medical Journal. 61, 4
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedFactors associated with internalising problems in orphans and their caregivers in rural mozambique
Libombo, P., Baker-Henningham, H. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 1 Jan 2012, In: East African Medical Journal. 89, 1, p. 3-10
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedReducing child conduct problems and promoting social skills in a middle-income country: cluster randomised controlled trial
Baker-Henningham, H., Scott, S., Jones, K. & Walker, S., 12 Apr 2012, In: British Journal of Psychiatry. 201, 2, p. 101-108
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- PublishedChild and adolescent mental health worldwide: evidence for action
Keiling, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Belfer, M., Conti, G., Ertem, I., Omigbodun, Y., Rohde, L., Srinath, S., Ulkuer, N. & Rahman, A., 22 Oct 2011, In: The Lancet. 378, 9801, p. 1515-1525
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedInequality in early childhood: risk and protective factors for early child development
Walker, S. P., Wachs, T., Grantham-McGregor, S., Black, M., Nelson, C., Huffman, S., Baker-Henningham, H., Chang, S., Hamadani, J. D., Lozoff, B., Meeks-Gardner, J., Powell, C., Rahman, A. & Richter, L., 22 Nov 2011, In: The Lancet. 378, 9799, p. 1325-1338
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTransporting evidence-based interventions across cultures: using focus groups with teachers and parents of pre-school children to inform the implementation of the Incredible Years Teacher Training Programme in Jamaica
Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Sept 2011, In: Child: care, health and development. 37, 5, p. 649-661
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2010
- PublishedEarly childhood stimulation interventions in developing countries: A comprehensive literature review
Baker-Henningham, H. & Lopez-Boo, F., Sept 2010, 2010 ed. Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID).
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report - PublishedValidity and reliability of mothers' reports of language development in 1-year-old children in a large-scale survey in Bangladesh
Hamadani, J. D., Baker-Henningham, H., Tofail, F., Mehrin, F., Huda, S. N. & Grantham-McGregor, S. M., 1 Jun 2010, In: Food and Nutrition Bulletin. 31, Supplement 2, p. S 198-206
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedA pilot study of the Incredible Years Teacher Training programme and a curriculum unit on social and emotional skills in community pre-schools in Jamaica
Baker-Henningham, H., Walker, S., Powell, C. & Meeks-Gardner, J., 1 Sept 2009, In: Child: care, health and development. 35, 5, p. 624-631
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedA qualitative study of teacher's perceptions of an intervention to prevent conduct problems in Jamaican pre-schools
Baker-Henningham, H. & Walker, S., 5 Aug 2009, In: Child: care, health and development. 35, 5, p. 632-642
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedExperiences of violence and deficits in academic achievement among primary school aged children in Jamaica
Baker-Henningham, H., Meeks-Gardner, J., Chang, S. & Walker, S., 29 May 2009, In: Child Abuse and Neglect. 33, 5, p. 296-306
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPreventing behaviour problems through a universal intervention in Jamaican basic schools: a pilot study
Baker-Henningham, H., Walker, S., Powell, C. & J.M., G., 1 Nov 2009, In: West Indian Medical Journal. 58, 5, p. 460-464
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUndernourished children have different temperaments than better-nourished children in rural Bangladesh
Baker-Henningham, H., Hamadani, J., Huda, S. N. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 15 Jul 2009, In: Journal of Nutrition. 139, 9, p. 1765-1771
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2005
- PublishedReview of the evidence linking protein and energy to mental development
Grantham-McGregor, S. & Baker-Henningham, H., 1 Oct 2005, In: Public Health Nutrition. 8, 7a, p. 1191-1201
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe effect of early stimulation on maternal depression: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Baker-Henningham, H., Powell, C., Walker, S. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 13 Sept 2005, In: Disease in Childhood. 90, 12, p. 1230-1234
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedZinc supplementation and psychosocial stimulation: effects on the development of undernourished Jamaican children
Meeks-Gardner, J., Powell, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Walker, S., Cole, T. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 1 Aug 2005, In: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 82, 2, p. 399-405
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2004
- PublishedFeasibility of integrating early stimulation into primary care for undernourished Jamaican children: cluster randomised controlled trial
Powell, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Walker, S., Gernay, J. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 8 Jul 2004, In: BMJ. 2004, 329, p. 329-389
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2003
- PublishedMothers of undernourished Jamaican children have poorer psychosocial functioning and this is associated with stimulation provided in the
Baker-Henningham, H., Powell, C., Walker, S. & Grantham-McGregor, S., 1 Jun 2003, In: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 57, 6, p. 786-792
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2025
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Visited the Caribbean Institute for Health Research to work with my Irie Toolbox Team on integrating early childhood, violence prevention programmes into the early childhood educational network across Jamaica. The visit was part of an award from the International Science Partnership fund that involves testing parent recruitment and retention strategies, producing training videos and testing different versions of the Irie Homes Toolbox as we prepare for scale.
26 Feb 2025 – 14 Mar 2025
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher) - International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
Visited the child development group at iccdr,b as part of the THRIVE programme of research. During the visit, we visited ready made garment factories with a member of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Export Association to identify how to expand and enhance quality of day care provision for young children of garment factory workers.
22 Jan 2025 – 1 Feb 2025
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher) - Day-care Provision in Ready-Made Garment Factories in Bangladesh
15 Jan 2025 – 17 Jan 2025
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Reviewer for Applied Global Health Research Board UKRI
Jan 2025 – Feb 2025
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor)
2024
- Training J-PAL team to train and support government health staff to implement group Reach Up with families of children under 3 years of age in East Java, Indonesia
Trained the J-PAL Southeast Asia Reach-Up team in the group Reach-UP programme and how to train government BKB (family planning) cadres to implement the programme. The programme includes conducting mothers' and fathers' groups in 15 villages in East Java and will be evaluated through a cluster-randomised trial
6 Oct 2024 – 18 Oct 2024
Activity: Other (Contributor) - Reviewer for Applied Global Health Research Board, UKRI
Jul 2024 – Aug 2024
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor) - Quality control of preschool enhancement programme in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
Visited Tharaka Nithi County in collaboration with colleagues from Kenyatta University to support ongoing quality control of a preschool enhancement programme in Tharaka Nithi County , Kenya.
11 Jun 2024 – 2 Jul 2024
Activity: Other (Contributor) - International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
Visited iccdr,b as international PI for the Bangladesh portfolio of work under the THRIVE programme. THRIVE is a 5-year, multi-country research program that aims to support countries to deliver practical, scalable, cost-effective programmess aimed at promoting young children’s development. THRIVE is working across 5 countries: Bangladesh, Ghana, Kiribati, Tanzania and Sierra Leone.
4 May 2024 – 17 May 2024
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher) - Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Visited the Caribbean Institute for Health Research to support Irie Toolbox Team to integrate an early childhood, violence prevention, parenting programme into preschool provision in Jamaica. The work is funded through the Gender and Diversity lab of the Inter-American Development Bank
14 Feb 2024 – 1 Mar 2024
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher) - THRIVE workshop
Research into taking early childhood development interventions to scale (THRIVE)
24 Jan 2024 – 26 Jan 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
2023
- Training mentors to train and support early childhood teachers in government schools across Tharaka Nithi County Kenya
Trained 15 mentors and the intervention supervisor to train and support 120 early childhood educators across 60 government primary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The intervention is being evaluated in a cluster randomised trial in 118 schools for the effect on child cognition, school readiness and behaviour and mothers' economic empowerment.
26 Nov 2023 – 15 Dec 2023
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Reach Up and Early Childhood Parenting Program: potential for Tajikistan
Presentation to the Tajikistan Ministries of Education, Health and Finance and representatives of district municipalities involved in a multi-sectoral project to implement a basic package of care and education for children from birth to age six years.
26 Apr 2023
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Reviewer for Applied Global Health Research Board, UKRI
Mar 2023 – Apr 2023
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor) - Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Visit to CAIHR, UWI as part of UKRI, GNCA grant: Scaling an integrated violence prevention and early childhood development, teacher-training intervention in Jamaican preschools.
24 Feb 2023 – 6 Mar 2023
Activity: Visiting an external academic institution (Visiting researcher) - Scaling Reach Up Early Childhood Development Programme
21 Feb 2023 – 23 Feb 2023
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor)
2022
- Promoting early childhood development globally through caregiving interventions
A workshop with 30 participants including academics, policymakers and program and implementation specialists focusing on long-range planning to advance early childhood development globally.
30 Nov 2022 – 2 Dec 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Supporting the Ministry of Preschool Education in Uzbekistan
Visited Uzbekistan to work with the Ministry of Preschool Education in Uzbekistan to integrate an evidence-based parenting programme (Reach Up) into their existing early childhood education services.
21 Nov 2022 – 26 Nov 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups (Contributor) - Reviewer for Applied Global Health Research Board, UKRI
Aug 2022 – Sep 2022
Activity: Types of External academic engagement - Membership of peer review panel or committee (Contributor) - Irie Classroom and Irie Homes Toolbox
Presentation during a webinar by the Inter-American Development Bank.
23 Mar 2022
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
2021
- The Irie Toolbox: Implementation, Evaluation and Dissemination
18 Nov 2021
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - The Irie Toolbox: presentation in a webinar hosted by the Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children
17 Nov 2021
Links:
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Training government early childhood field officers to conduct virtual parenting groups in Jamaica
Trained 28 government officers from the Early Childhood Commmision to conduct virtual parenting groups using the Irie Homes Toolbox. The programme was delivered over ten, weekly, 1-hour virtual sessions with over 550 caregivers of children aged 2-6 years.
1 Aug 2021 – 31 Oct 2021
Activity: Types of Business and Community - CPD delivery/organisation of courses for externals (in kind) (Contributor) - Training government field officers to train early childhood teachers in instructional support techniques in Jamaica
Trained 42 government field staff to conduct virtual teacher training workshops in instructional support techniques. The field staff trained over 800 early childhood practitioners in four 90-minute training modules. Fourteen 14 middle managers were trained to give ongoing supervision and support to the field staff during intervention implementation.
1 Jul 2021 – 31 Oct 2021
Activity: Types of Business and Community - CPD delivery/organisation of courses for externals (in kind) (Contributor) - Understanding young children's behavior
Presentation at the annual Professional Development Institute of the Early Childhood Commission in Jamaica using content from the Irie Homes Toolbox.
19 May 2021
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Public lecture/debate/seminar (Contributor)
Projects
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01/10/2022 – 31/03/2023 (Finished)
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01/09/2022 – 30/06/2025 (Active)
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01/10/2018 – 20/07/2020 (Finished)
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01/09/2018 – 30/11/2019 (Finished)
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01/09/2017 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
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01/10/2014 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
Other Grants and Projects
2024-2025: International Science Project Fund. Embedding an early childhood violence prevention programme into the services provided through community preschools in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), T Francis, M Bowers.
2023-2026: Yale Economic Growth Centre, Yale University. A randomised evaluation of the effects of a preschool intervention on child learning and female economic empowerment in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), T Francis, M Bowers (subcontract with Costas Meghir as PI and in collaboration with Kenyatta University).
2023-2024: Gender and Diversity Lab, Inter-American Development Bank. Preparing to scale an early childhood, violence prevention parenting program in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), T Francis, M Bowers.
2022-2027: Oxford Policy Management (Funded through FCDO). Research into taking early childhood development (ECD) interventions to scale (THRIVE). H Baker-Henningham (International PI for Bangladesh portfolio), Jena Hamadani (national PI) and Syeda Fardina Mehrin, Sheikh Jamal Hossain, Nur-E-Salveen (Co-Is).
2022-2023: UKRI, GNCA grant. Scaling an integrated violence prevention and early childhood development teacher-training intervention in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), T Francis, M Bowers.
2022-2023 World Bank, DECRG. Exploratory grant proposal: Nurturing parents and children with Reach Up and Learn in Indonesia. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham, E Galasso, A Maria Munoz, MTriyana, M Rosales-Rueda.
2022-2023 World Bank, Strategic Impact Evaluation Fund. Violent Discipline and Child Behavior: The Short and Mid-term Effects of a Virtual Parenting Support to Caregivers in Jamaica. Investigators: L Dinarte-Diaz, H Baker-Henningham H, S Powers, R Ravindran, M Shah.
2021-2022 World Bank. Are the benefits of an early childhood development program sustained and do benefits spillover onto younger siblings? A medium run follow-up to the Bangladesh Reach-Up trial. Investigators: J Friedman, J Hamadani, S Grantham-McGregor, C Meghir, O Attanasio, H Alderman, H Baker-Henningham, F Tofail, F Mehrin.
2021-2022: UNICEF Jamaica. IRIE Classroom Toolbox hybrid delivery with the addition of a functional literacy and numeracy module. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), M Bowers, T Francis.
2021: World Bank Early Learning Partnership Programme. Designing a virtual parent place programme to prevent violence against young children in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham, T Francis, M Bowers (subcontract of a grant with L. Dinarte as PI).
2021-2023: USAID: Development Innovation Ventures. Nurturing parents and children in Indonesia: an early stimulation intervention. Investigators: M Triyana, M Rosales, E Satriawan, H Baker-Henningham.
2020-2022: Grand Challenges Canada, Porticus, World Bank. Saving Bangladeshi Babies Brains (SB3). Investigators: JD Hamadani, F Tofail, SF Mehrin, SE Arifeen, H Baker-Henningham, S Grantham-McGregor.
2019-2021: GCRF Research and Impact Grant, HEFCW. An Integrated Violence Prevention and Early Childhood Development Programme Across Home and School Settings for National Dissemination in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), M Bowers, T Francis.
2019-2020: UNICEF Jamaica. Dissemination of the IRIE Classroom Toolbox. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), M Bowers, T Francis.
2018-2019: GCRF Impact grant, HEFCW. Developing Technical Guides for Training of Supervision of an Evidence-Based Group Parenting Programme to Promote Early Child Development in Low- and Middle Income Countries. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), J Hamadani, M Rubio-Codina, SF Mehrin, M Gomez, S Grantham-McGregor.
2018-2019 MRC/Wellcome Trust/DfID/NIHR. Joint Global Health Trials Scheme. Development and evaluation of an integrated early childhood development and violence prevention teacher-training intervention in Jamaican preschools. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), M Vera-Hernandez, S Walker.
2017-2019 British Academy. Scaling up an early childhood development intervention by integrating into health services in Bangladesh. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), J Hamadani, F Tofail, S Grantham-McGregor.
2017-2019 Grand Challenges Canada. ‘The Irie Homes Toolbox’: development and evaluation. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), T Francis, M Bowers.
2014-2018 MRC/Wellcome Trust/DfID Joint Global Health Trials Scheme. The “Irie Classrooms Toolbox”: a cluster randomised trial of a universal violence prevention programme in Jamaican preschools. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), H Alderman, M Vera-Hernandez, S Walker.
2014-2016 Grand Challenges Canada. Developing, implementing and evaluating a teacher training intervention to promote child mental health in the early grades of primary school in Jamaica. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), Y Townsend, S Walker.
2013-2016 Grand Challenges, Canada. Promoting global child development: A web based intervention for parents and children, for use by community workers in low resource settings. Investigators: S Walker, C Powell, H Baker-Henningham, J Hamadani, M Rubio-Codina, S Grantham-McGregor.
2013-2016 Grand Challenges, Canada. Transition to scale of an integrated program of nutrition and care and psychosocial stimulation to improve malnourished children’s development in Bangladesh. Investigators: J Hamadani, F Tofail, F Mehrin, H Baker-Henningham, D Ridout, S Grantham-McGregor.
2013-2016 Grand Challenges, Canada. An Integrated Intervention Targeted at Deprived Pre-School Children in Rural Colombia.Investigators: R Bernal, X Pena, O Attanasio, M Rubio-Codina, H Baker-Henningham, C Fernandez, C Meghir.
2011-2013 Inter-American Development Bank. Home and health care delivery of early childhood stimulation. Investigators: S Walker, C Powell, S Chang, H Baker-Henningham, S McGregor, F Lopez Boo.
2011-2014 The Wellcome Trust, London, UK. Promoting young children’s social and emotional competence and preventing conduct problems: Follow-up of a cluster randomised controlled trial Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), S Walker.
2007-2010 The Wellcome Trust, London, UK. Research Training Fellowship in Tropical Medicine: Promoting young children’s social and emotional competence and preventing conduct problems: A cluster randomised trial. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), S Walker, S Scott.
2005-2006 UNICEF, Jamaica. Promoting young children’s social and emotional competence and preventing aggression. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), S Walker, C Powell.
2005-2006 Environmental Foundation of Jamaica. Promoting young children’s social and emotional competence and preventing aggression in basic schools. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), S Walker, C Powell.
2004-2006 Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, Jamaica. Special Education Needs Study: a study of the prevalence of special educational needs amongst Jamaican primary school children and factors associated with special needs. Investigators: H Baker-Henningham (PI), S Walker, S Chang, M Samms-Vaughan, H Hickling.