About the Show

RTÉ's landmark series 21st Century Child which traces the growth of the same group of 12 children over the first six years of their lives, returns to our screens this autumn for its second series.

Presented by Clinical Psychologist David Coleman, 21st Century Child is an ambitious project which not only looks at how our children are developing, but also examines the different challenges and choices faced by our parents as they bring up their child within a changing and challenging Ireland.

Each week this documentary series combines family stories and expert analysis, tracking the monumental changes that have taken place for our families since we last met them and asking why our children develop as they do.

Over the course of the series we'll not only look at the drama that happens in family life, we'll also look at several themes which are relevant to the development of our infants: how our children communicate, attach to their parents, learn and how their personalities develop.

Since we last filmed with our children huge changes have taken place. In this series, filmed when they were aged between eight months old and two years of age, our infants take their first steps in an Ireland which has been radically altered since their birth.

As the reality of recession bites, life for our families changes. Parental relationships suddenly come under strain. Difficult decisions are reached. Depression hits our mothers and emigration is considered. Previously held notions about the 'traditional' family unit are shattered as families struggle financially.

Join us each Monday evening at 9.30pm on RTÉ One for more.