Child

Child returns for the next chapter of the story of all of us. Delve deep into the mind of a toddler and explore how our emotions and our selves are built through life experience.

Radio 4,41 episodes

Episodes

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Series 2
Trailer: Child Series 2
Child returns for the next chapter of the story of all of us all.
29 Oct 2025,3 mins
Series 2
1. Happiness
Child continues with the story of emotions told through the minds of toddlers.
05 Nov 2025,29 mins
Series 2
2. Fear
India Rakusen pays a visit to fear, where shadows shape brains and tiny minds learn.
12 Nov 2025,28 mins
Series 2
3. Surprise
Surprise, from toddler jokes to toilet training — how it shapes learning and resilience.
19 Nov 2025,28 mins
Series 2
4. Anger
Anger. In our story of toddlers it's where changelings, the lizard brain and law collide.
26 Nov 2025,28 mins
Series 2
5. Sadness
India Rakusen explores the science behind crying and sadness, and the origins of empathy.
03 Dec 2025,28 mins
Series 2
Bonus Episode 1. Are Helpful Kids Happier?
India talks to Professor Robert Hepach about how helping can make kids happy.
03 Dec 2025,15 mins
Series 2
Bonus Episode 2. The Art of Storytelling for Children
India talks to Dr Marah Gubar about the fine art of storytelling for children.
10 Dec 2025,15 mins
Series 2
6. Awe
India explores moments that can elicit awe, and the power it has on our minds and bodies.
10 Dec 2025,28 mins
Series 2
Bonus Episode 3. The Power of Pretend Play
India talks to Professor Caren Walker about the power of pretending.
17 Dec 2025,15 mins
Series 2
7. Anxiety
A parent’s fear, the science of anxiety, and how play can shape children’s freedom.
17 Dec 2025,28 mins
Series 2
Bonus Episode 4. Mother of Boys
India talks to Ruth Whippman about being a mother of boys.
24 Dec 2025,15 mins
Series 2
8. Love
India examines the pressures of unconditional love and learns how love can be learned.
24 Dec 2025,28 mins
Series 1
Introducing Child
Introducing the extraordinary story of where we all begin.
05 Jan 2024,3 mins
Series 1
1. The Dance Begins
The life of a human begins to unfold.
12 Jan 2024,15 mins
Series 1
2. Source of Life
The Placenta. How does this amazing organ feed and protect a baby?
19 Jan 2024,14 mins
Series 1
3. The Secret Within
India examines the moment of finding out you’re pregnant and what to do with that secret.
26 Jan 2024,13 mins
Series 1
4. Every Heartbeat
In this episode, India uncovers the mysterious world of ultrasound scans.
02 Feb 2024,13 mins
Series 1
5. Birth of a Mother
How do popular representations of mothers impact our ideals of motherhood.
09 Feb 2024,14 mins
Series 1
6. The Unforeseen
India explores how the law and our own feelings are at odds with each other on baby loss.
16 Feb 2024,13 mins
Series 1
7. Are They What You Eat?
India explores the world of nutrition and what other factors influence an unborn baby.
23 Feb 2024,13 mins
Series 1
8. Mother Brain
India Rakusen finds out just how much the body and brain is impacted by pregnancy.
01 Mar 2024,14 mins
Series 1
9. Birth Plan
How can we truly plan for something as big and unknowable as birth?
08 Mar 2024,13 mins
Series 1
10. Due Date
When the due date is so hard to predict, what are they for and how are they calculated?
15 Mar 2024,14 mins
Series 1
11. Oxytocin
India Rakusen explores the influence that people and place have over labour and birth.
18 Mar 2024,14 mins
Series 1
12. Consent
India Rakusen examines the thorny issues of choice and consent during birth.
19 Mar 2024,14 mins
Series 1
13. Trust
India Rakusen explores the breakdown and rebuilding of trust during pregnancy and birth.
20 Mar 2024,14 mins
Series 1
14. Pain
India Rakusen examines how pain has been acknowledged historically and in modern day.
21 Mar 2024,13 mins
Series 1
15. Golden Hour
India examines the moments after birth and how the rush of love isn’t always instant.
22 Mar 2024,15 mins
Series 1
16. First Love
What do we know about the bonding between a baby and its parents in those first few weeks?
29 Mar 2024,14 mins