There is a predominant view amongst scientists and policy-makers that, for greatest effect, interventions need to be applied early in life, when children’s brain function and behaviour are thought to be more malleable. However, according to new Oxford University research, it’s time to stop focusing on when we intervene with parenting, and just get on with helping children in need of all ages.

Just published in Child Development, the study is one of the first to test this age assumption. Parenting interventions are a common and effective tool for reducing child behavioural problems, but studies of age effects have until now produced mixed results.

A team led by Professor Frances Gardner of Oxford University’s Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention analysed data from over 15,000 families from all over the world, and found no evidence that earlier is better. Older children benefited just as much as younger ones from parenting interventions for reducing behaviour problems. There was no evidence whatsoever for the common belief that earlier interventions are more powerful – and this was based on combining data from more than 150 rigorous trials.