Special explores the secret life of siblings

Channel 4 documentary The Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds is returning for a two-part summer special: The Secret Life of Brothers and Sisters, followed by a new six-part series.

The two-parter special will feature some of the children from the last series, on a camping holiday, along with their siblings, some of whom are as young as two or three, the youngest children filmed to date.

A brand new cast of ten children, aged four and five years old from up and down the country will feature in the following six films shot across the summer holidays, as they meet each other for the very first time on a summer play scheme.

The award-winning series will see the return of leading scientists, Dr Paul Howard-Jones (Educational Neuroscientist, Bristol University) and Dr Sam Wass (Developmental Psychologist, MCR Cognition & Brain Unit, Cambridge) and Dr Elizabeth Kilbey (Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Oxleas NHS Trust).

Sara Ramsden, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 said: “To see all the highs and lows of sibling relations played out amongst the magical scenery of the outdoors will be a treat. It will be a revelation to unpick the psychology underlying why siblings can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies.”

Teresa Watkins, Executive Producer, RDF Television said: You don’t choose your brothers and sisters. But the relationship you have with them is likely to be the longest of your entire life and it’s one that will definitely impact on your adult life. It’s a great opportunity to use The Secret Life formula to explore this most seminal of relationships.