Brian Rea Animates Big Feelings for The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood

AnimationBrian Rea
Written By Dutch Uncle

Brian Rea is the illustrator behind a series of animated films produced by Dutch Uncle for The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, with animation by Delcan & Co and music by Ahre Studio.

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood raises awareness of how positive, nurturing interactions in the early years shape lifelong outcomes.

This animated explainer series explores how everyday moments support early brain development and will be shared with professionals and families across the UK and beyond.

Animation Credits:

View all of the explainer videos below…

The topics covered in the films are: 

  • How we grow an emotionally healthy brain: this film describes the rapid development that happens in early childhood. It explains how early relationships, surroundings and experiences shape development and can have lasting effects throughout life.

  • This film was illustrated by Jasmine Hortop, animated by Real Good Liars and produced by Making Pictures. 

  • Noticing and navigating feelings: this film unpacks a concept called attunement. In attuned conversations, adults notice a child’s emotional state, name what they are feeling and help them to manage these feelings. The film also describes other ways adults can talk to babies and young children about emotions and how this supports development.

  • This film was illustrated by Alec Doherty, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter. 

  • Managing big feelings together: this film explains a concept called co-regulation. Co-regulation involves supporting another person when managing big feelings and returning to a state of calm. When adults co-regulate children, they help a child deal with positive or negative feelings that might otherwise be overwhelming. This enables the child to return to a state where they can think clearly, feel safe and respond to the world around them in helpful ways.

  • This film was illustrated by Brian Rea, animated by Delcan & Co and produced by Dutch Uncle.  

  • Back and forth interactions: this film unpacks a concept called contingent responsiveness (also known as serve and return). Contingent responsiveness is what happens when an adult notices a baby or child’s cue or signal and responds in a way that is sensitive and appropriate. This is a central part of nurturing care.

  • This film was illustrated by Haley Tippmann, animated by Henrique Barone and produced by Oskar Illustration.  

  • Supporting early learning: this film explains a concept called scaffolding.  Scaffolding occurs when adults support children’s learning by helping them to do something for themselves, adjusting the level of guidance and support provided, led by the child’s needs and abilities. This supports the child in mastering new skills.

  • This film was illustrated by Vicki Turner, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter. 

  • Creating space for connection: this film explains a concept called pacing. When we pace our interactions with children, we adjust our tempo and slow down to help them to process information and respond. Pacing creates space and time for meaningful connection, giving the child greater opportunity to engage positively in an interaction or activity.

  • This film was illustrated by Owen Gildersleeve, animated by Plastic Horse and produced by Grand Matter. 

Further Viewing:

Dutch Uncle

Dutch Uncle is an award-winning international illustration and animation agency founded in 2006 by Helen Cowley. With offices in London, New York, and Tokyo, we operate across every major timezone, connecting the world's most ambitious brands with exceptional global creative talent.

Over nearly two decades, Dutch Uncle have built one of the most decorated artist rosters in the industry. Our artists have produced Gold Clio and Cannes Lions award-winning work for clients spanning fashion, luxury, fintech, tech, healthcare, and publishing. We have collaborated on prestige illustration and animation projects for global leaders, including Hermès, Burberry, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Rimowa, as well as Apple, Google, Mercedes, Netflix, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, The New York Times.

We represent illustrators and animation directors who lead their fields in conceptual thinking, visual intelligence, and craft. Artists whose work cuts through algorithmic sameness to deliver genuine cultural impact.

Beyond our core roster, we also draw on an international network of talent across five continents to meet the scale and complexity of any brief.

Dutch Uncle operates as a full-service creative production partner, managing everything from artist sourcing and briefing through to licensing, copyright, animation production, and final delivery.

We specialise in complex, multi-market projects that demand creative precision and seamless execution. Whether that is a single editorial commission, a suite of high-impact social media assets, or a global animated campaign.

For nearly twenty years, the world's leading agencies, publishers, cultural institutions, and brands have trusted us to bring their most ambitious work to life.

https://www.dutchuncle.co.uk
Previous

Noma Bar x Acciona: Business as Unusual, illustrated campaign visuals.
Next

A Novel Approach: GRAY318 x Shakespeare & Company Bloomsbury Tote Bag