On TV ....

'Born Naughty?', is a series of four programmes, each week looking at a different childhood issue. Last night, the spotlight was on ADHD as it followed long-suffering parents of children who they suspect may have the condition. The programme is available to view here.

On the other channel, the Tonight Programme investigated the dilemma faced by parents each year as they try to get their children into the school of their choice and some of the difficult decisions they are faced with. 

Mental Health Awareness Week

It is Mental Health Awareness week and this year the theme is mindfulness. The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) have once again produced a number of publications including posters and leaflets to support their campaign, including a dedicated page on resources for mindfulness. Resources for topics covered in previous years are available on the MHF website, such as last year's report 'Living With Anxiety', which highlights how prevalent anxiety is in everyday life. 

There is also still time to watch 'A Stranger on the Bridge' - the true story of Jonny Benjamin; suffering from mental health issues, his attempted suicide was thwarted by a stranger who stopped him from jumping off Waterloo Bridge. The documentary follows his quest to find the person who saved his life. 

Britain's Biggest Primary School

'Britain's Biggest Primary School' is an observed documentary series, following pupils, parents, teachers and support staff at Gascoigne Primary School in Barking, London. Over the course of a year, we are given a glimpse of life inside the school as staff go about their task of teaching, feeding and managing the welfare of over 1,000 primary school pupils.

If you missed last night's episode, it is available along with previous episodes, at the Channel 5 website. 

The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds

Not to be missed - Channel 4 at 8pm tonight

A one-off documentary will take us inside the world of ten four-year-olds as they are brought together in a nursery. With their parents watching closely on monitors, the children meet each other for the first time in October and again, 6 months later. The film provides an insight into child development and the opportunity to see child observation in action, as two highly trained Early Years teachers and two leading scientists, make suggestions for some interventions to explore the children’s various stages of development.

The film reveals how their individual adult personalities are already being formed at this early stage in their lives. Some clips of the documentary can be viewed here.