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14 November 2009
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Eve and Rhianna running

Aged two: Active or Idle?

What factors make some children active athletes-to-be, while others become couch potatoes?


Toddlers spend most of their lives training their bodies and minds through play. But which of our children was ahead in the race for physical development?

Research suggests it's playtime with their father that puts children at a physical and emotional advantage. Dads are usually responsible for physical play, so how does their absence affect a child's development?

Nathan running with balloons

Andy and Helen got married when Helen was pregnant with Calvin, but Andy had an affair, so Helen moved in with her parents. We considered whether Andy's absence would have an impact on Calvin's development.

Using pedometers to count our toddlers' every step, we discovered what they do with their seemingly limitless energy. We tested all our children to find their natural physical talents and measured the huge differences in motivation.

Could an environment actually hinder a toddler's growth and development? We visited teenage mother Toni, whose daughter, Charlie, spent most of her time in front of the TV in their one-bedroom flat. We examined whether Charlie could use her boundless energy in a small space.

In this epsiode, Eve's mum, Caroline, admitted for the first time that she'd been bulimic since childhood. She was determined to conquer her problem and ensure her daughter didn't follow in her footsteps.

Babies' attitudes towards food are influenced by their parents, and Caroline wasn't aware that the way she treated mealtimes subtly communicated her own fears of food to her daughter.

Find out what happened in the fourth series.


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Outdoor play
Physical fun

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