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Children on reality television

Around the millennium, there was an explosion of reality television. We explain how children were a part of that phenomenon, featuring among its stars

Once you’ve watched the video above, list some examples of reality television programmes that you can think of showing non-fictional (real) children learning or performing, at home, in educational or other settings.

If you can’t think of examples for reality television, consider other types of television, or film.

My UK-based examples, some of which are shown internationally or have been remade internationally, include:

  • Child Genius
  • The Secret Life of 4 year olds (in the US remade as The Secret Life of Kids)
  • Junior Bake Off
  • Off by Heart: Poetry
  • 1900s House (and other period ‘Houses’ in the same series)
  • The Unteachables
  • Educating Essex
  • Edwardian Country House

Now it’s your turn. Don’t forget to tell us which country your examples come from, so that we get a global picture.

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Pictures of Youth: An Introduction to Children’s Visual Culture

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