Project 5: Longitudinal Child Development

Longitudinal Child Development—Cognitive, Psychological, and Socioemotional and Physical Health and Well-being

PI: Dr Khng Kiat Hui, Fannie

Co-PI(s): Dr Chee Yeen Melvin CHAN, Dr He SUN, Dr Gerald WANG Zijian

Project Objectives

This project follows up on earlier cohorts in the SKIP and SKIP-Up studies as they progress through adolescence, continuing to examine how person, contexts, and processes interact to influence human development in cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical domains.

Study Focus

There are 28 schools participating on a full cohort basis in the larger DREAMS study. However, as Project 5 follows up on earlier cohorts in the SKIP* (Kindergarten 1 to Primary 1) and SKIP-Up (Primary 5 & 6) studies as they progress through adolescence, these students are spread out throughout more secondary schools (up to 147). Thus, we are reaching out to these schools to invite these students. Project 5 is continuing to examine how person, contexts, and processes interact to influence human development in cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical domains, from early childhood through adolescence.

Key Constructs of Interest

Cognitive outcomes
  • Executive functions 
  • Academic outcomes and adjustment
Psychological and socioemotional outcomes

  • Socioemotional strengths and difficulties

  • Common screeners for mental health/psychiatric disorders

  • Positive subjective well-being

  • Stress & test anxiety

Physical health outcomes

  • Physical fitness and health 

  • Health-related lifestyle activities (e.g., sedentary/ physical activities; social media addiction)

Other Capacities, Characteristics, and influences

  • Self-regulation

  • Child environmental sensitivity

  • Home and school contexts (e.g., perceived family, peer and teacher relationships)

Latest Updates

Project 1, Project 3, Project 5

DREAMS on the Global Stage: Presentations Across 4 Continents (2025)

This year, the DREAMS team has been actively sharing our research with international communities across Asia, Europe, Oceania and the United States. This range of presentations reflects the breadth of our work. From exploring adolescent friendships to examining career readiness and socio-emotional growth, our investigators have brought insights from Singapore’s youth to the global stage. Our team values the opportunities to share these insights while engaging in global conversations on adolescent development. Here’s a look...

Lead Project, Project 1, Project 2, Project 3, Project 4, Project 5, Project 6, Project 7

Principals & School Leaders Sharing 2025

On 26 August 2025, we welcomed over 100 attendees from our DREAMS partner schools, along with MOE representatives and the DREAMS research team, for an engaging afternoon of sharing and discussion on the project's latest findings. The session began with Prof Kenneth Poon, Lead Principal Investigator (PI) of DREAMS, who shared broad insights from our study...

Lead Project, Project 1, Project 2, Project 3, Project 4, Project 5, Project 6, Project 7

DREAMS @ The Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference (RPIC)

Our research team will be presenting at the Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference (RPIC) on 29 and 30 May. If you are attending the conference, we hope you can join us as we share more about our Year 1 findings....

Project 5

Understanding Child Outcomes from Early to Middle Childhood

The Singapore Kindergarten Impact Project (SKIP) was initiated in 2014 with the aim of studying child development across the pre-school years. The early childhood period is a crucial time in a child’s development as it lays the foundation for later outcomes such as academic performance and well-being. What occurs when the child enters middle childhood? To provide a holistic view of child outcomes across the early and middle childhood years, a follow-up study, “SKIP-Up”, for...

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Understanding Child Outcomes from Early to Middle Childhood

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