This Sunday, Professor Paul Howard-Jones, our Professor in Neuroscience and Education at the University of Bristol’s School of Education, will appear on Channel 5’s The Secret World of Children at 7pm.
In the new two-part series, a group of nine and 10-year-old children – all from different walks of life – embark on their first adventure into the adult world.
After being granted newfound independence, the children begin to explore the ‘real world’ in groups of three, where they find themselves navigating new situations including retail shopping and fine dining all without adult supervision.
From an inaccurate restaurant bill to managing money when out shopping, the children find themselves in more complex situations which their parents would usually solve or smooth over. Except this time, they face reaching a solution alone.
As their parents watching on from a secret location, viewers will see how the children react to their newfound independence and how they come to navigate a series of challenging scenarios which test their common sense, ability to think for themselves and how to recognise danger.
The show’s leading neuroscientist, Professor Paul Howard-Jones, will also be observing the children’s behaviour and giving his insights into how they navigate trickier situations when unaccompanied by an adult.
‘What surprised me the most was their competence and maturity in making sometimes very difficult decisions,’ Professor Paul Howard-Jones said. ‘I think the parents were also surprised to find out how independent their children can be – something we often underestimate.’
‘The show is a great opportunity to reconsider how much responsibility kids can enjoy.’
Professor Paul Howard-Jones has also undertaken a similar role in Channel 4’s The Secret Life of… TV formats, which also explore how children navigate relationships and establish themselves within social groups in a controlled classroom environment.
Tune into Channel 5 at 7pm this Sunday for the first episode.
The final episode in the two-part series will air on Channel 5 at 7pm on Sunday 25th August.
