Young at heart: why children who exercise become healthier adults

New research suggests childhood exercise has a protective effect on health in later years, as well as improving brain power

Roasting a chicken, Facebook privacy settings, Doomsday prep: life skills all school kids should learn

Experts say children need to be taught more about breastfeeding – but are there other real-world lessons they should be getting too?

HPV vaccine: anger over decision not to extend NHS scheme to boys

Health bodies condemn panel’s conclusion that more jabs against cancer-causing infection are unlikely to be cost-effective

School clamps down on phones and Fitbits to ease body image worries

Stroud high school for girls says tech gadgets and social media exacerbate pressures leading to low self-esteem

The vital but invisible early lessons that last a lifetime

At the core of a happy, healthy adult is the resilience they learn as a child. Can this be taught, asks psychiatrist Holan Liang

Teenagers’ sleep quality and mental health at risk over late-night mobile phone use

Researchers advise ‘physical boundaries’ over devices in bedrooms after study finds poor sleep associated with phone use linked to depressed moods

Too many children being prescribed melatonin to aid sleep, experts warn

Some specialists concerned use of hormone has become a ‘fashionable treatment’ for parents who want ‘perfect children’

Step away from the parenting books – and start worrying and doubting yourself instead

Chinese tiger mothers get results, French parents teach manners and the Finns espouse self-reliance. British parents? We read books on how we’re going wrong …

Jeremy Hunt orders investigation into baby deaths at NHS trust

Health secretary asks NHS England to look into cluster of deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford trust that were deemed avoidable

Children struggling to concentrate at school due to lack of sleep, MPs told

Sleep deprivation highlighted in inquiry into role of education in preventing mental health problems in children

‘Outrageous’: expert slams White House for denying school meals’ link to learning

Author of groundbreaking study of school meals’ impact on class achievement said proposed cuts to programs reflects ‘lack of knowledge or … dishonesty’

‘I’ll go to school on two and a half hours’ sleep’: why British children aren’t sleeping

Doctors are reporting a dramatic increase in children with sleep disorders, which affect their physical and mental health. Why? Plus expert tips on a good night’s rest

Children’s sugar intake equals five doughnuts a day, campaigners say

Obesity Health Alliance calls for food and drink makers to cut ‘hidden’ sugar to curb dangerous obesity among young people

How much screen time should I let my teenager have?

A new study says that up to six hours a day is perfectly normal, and unlikely to do any harm – as long as your child is doing fine at school and getting enough exercise

By ignoring sex education, ministers are risking children’s safety

Lessons at school can protect children from online threats, but politicians would rather bury their heads in the sand