Michael Morpurgo learns how girls' education regressed in the 16th century, with the sinful Eve as the main female archetype.

Michael Morpurgo tells the story of the Poor Law, a forerunner of the welfare state and a safety net for many poor children.

Michael Morpurgo traces the rise of the British toy shop in the 18th century, and the beginnings of pester power.

With evangelicals to rationalists battling over Britain's children, Michael Morpurgo searches surviving 18th-century records.

Michael Morpurgo explores education's expansion for boys in the 17th century, and when boyhood ended and manhood began.

Michael Morpurgo learns about the impact of printing, and how it raised fears among adults that it was corrupting children.

Michael Morpurgo traces the making of Britain's Welfare State amid concerns for children.

Michael Morpurgo discovers how behaviourists and Freudians battled over techniques for bringing up children.

Michael Morpurgo discovers new forms of entertainment available to children in the first half of the 20th century.

Michael Morpurgo examines how the media and marketing have encroached on the lives of children.

Michael Morpurgo presents readings of the words of children about the effect of the wars of the 20th century.

Michael Morpurgo explores a thousand years of British childhood, the arrival of Christianity and the Norman Conquest. Show more

Michael Morpurgo discovers how middle and upper-class children enjoyed more informal upbringings by the late 18th century.

Exploring a thousand years of British childhood, Michael Morpurgo examines Puritanism and the effects of the Reformation.

Michael Morpurgo explores how the Puritan ethos affected children and the way of family life.

Michael Morpurgo wonders if medieval people recognised a phase of 'childhood', using clues from Britain's first childcare guru.

What did medieval children get up to when left unattended? Michael Morpurgo unearths some vivid descriptions.

Were medieval children permitted to play? Michael Morpurgo learns about early football and festivals of misrule.

Michael Morpurgo explains how Britain's first foundling hospital met with great acclaim in 1741, but some children were still neglected.

Michael Morpurgo tells the story of two great 18th century philosophers, whose child-rearing ideas are influential to this day.