Child of Our Time

Child of Our Time

1999 10 Seasons 30 Episodes ⭐ 10.0 Documentary

Child of Our Time is a documentary commissioned by the BBC, co-produced with the Open University and presented by Robert Winston. It follows the lives of 25 children, born at the beginning of the 21st century, as they grow from infancy, through childhood, and on to becoming young adults. The aim of the series is to build up a coherent and scientifically accurate picture of how the genes and the environment of growing children interact to make a fully formed adult. A large portion of the series is made up of experiments designed to examine these questions. The main topic under consideration is: "Are we born or are we made?". The nature of the family in contemporary Britain is also addressed. The project is planned to run for 20 years, following its subjects from birth until the age of 20. During the first half of its run a set of about three or four episodes was produced annually. After 2008 new episodes became less frequent, and in 2011 there was some doubt about the future of the programme, including from Winston himself. In February 2013 it was announced that the series would resume, with two new episodes presented by Winston. Rather than the psychological experiments of previous series, these episodes focused on the first interviews with the participating children themselves and their families.

Child of Our Time is a documentary commissioned by the BBC, co-produced with the Open University and presented by Robert Winston. It follows the lives of 25 children, born at the beginning of the 21st century, as they grow from infancy, through childhood, and on to becoming young adults. The aim of the series is to build up a coherent and scientifically accurate picture of how the genes and the environment of growing children interact to make a fully formed adult. A large portion of the series is made up of experiments designed to examine these questions. The main topic under consideration is: "Are we born or are we made?". The nature of the family in contemporary Britain is also addressed. The project is planned to run for 20 years, following its subjects from birth until the age of 20. During the first half of its run a set of about three or four episodes was produced annually. After 2008 new episodes became less frequent, and in 2011 there was some doubt about the future of the programme, including from Winston himself. In February 2013 it was announced that the series would resume, with two new episodes presented by Winston. Rather than the psychological experiments of previous series, these episodes focused on the first interviews with the participating children themselves and their families.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Babies

EP 2

Tomboy or Sissy?

This episode explores the issue of gender.

EP 1

The Personality Test

EP 2

Brain Magic

The topic of this episode is intelligence. Is it possible for parents to increase or decrease their child's intelligence

EP 3

Brain Magic

The topic of this episode is intelligence. Is it possible for parents to increase or decrease their child's intelligence

EP 1

Thanks for the Memories

The children are now in their terrible twos. This episode is focused on memory, and how much we remember from our childh

EP 2

Power Struggles

In this episode, Professor Winston looks at the battle for independence. It is very important for children to develop th

EP 3

Active or Idle

What makes a child a potential star athlete, or a lifetime couch potato? Most of not all 2 year olds seem to have perpet

EP 1

Zero to Hero

The children are now 3 years old. Winston finds out if popular adults are marked out at this early stage in life and if

EP 2

Read My Lips

Communication is at the heart of being human and learning to communicate effectively takes a lifetime to perfect. In thi

EP 3

The Making Of Me

Self-esteem is a key element of happiness and success and makes us feel good about ourselves. During our lifetimes, self

EP 1

Identity Crisis

James Cachia lives in an impoverished area of South-East London. As his mother tries to protect the family from a threat

EP 2

State of Play

EP 3

What are Dads For?

EP 4

Tried and Tested

As the children turn five, the programme follows their first term at school.

EP 1

Happiness

Robert Winston returns for a new series, beginning by assessing the youngsters' ability to be happy. He discovers which

EP 2

Flesh and Blood

Professor Robert Winston examines how children's development is affected by the bonds with their siblings, a relationshi

EP 3

Right and Wrong

Professor Robert Winston finds out how the six-year-olds are distinguishing between right and wrong, discovering the way

EP 4

Your Recipe for Success

Professor Robert Winston presents an interactive show in which the children's ability to pick up new skills is tested th

EP 1

The Will To Win

Professor Robert Winston explores the psychology of success.

EP 2

Fitting In Or Standing Out

Professor Robert Winston explores the benefits and dangers of conformity.

EP 3

Killing Creativity

Professor Robert Winston explores the importance of creative thinking.

EP 1

The Divide Of The Sexes

New series of Professor Robert Winston's project documenting the lives of 25 British children until the age of 20. Now e

EP 2

The Age of Stress

Professor Robert Winston presents a documentary series following the lives of 25 British children until the age of 20. C

EP 3

24 Hours

Professor Robert Winston presents a documentary series following the lives of 25 British children until the age of 20. F

EP 4

A Revolution in Childhood

EP 1

The Big Personality Test

How does your personality shape your life? Can it dictate whether you are in the right job, make or break your relations

EP 2

The Big Personality Test (2)

How does your personality shape your life? Can it dictate whether you are in the right job, make or break your relations

EP 1

Growing Up

In this programme we follow several of our children preparing to become teenagers and see how their parents and grandpar

EP 2

Changing Families

In this programme we look at how some of our children - and their parents and grandparents - have coped with the changes

Popular Cast

Robert Winston
Robert Winston