大象传媒

The government is carrying out a review into how to improve health outcomes for babies and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Early Years development review will look at the critical first two and a half years of life which has a significant impact on the physical health, mental health and opportunity throughout life. We hear from the government's Early Years adviser Andrea Leadsom MP.

In August we spoke to Alexandra Wilson about her book 鈥淚n Black and White鈥� - breaking down barriers of race and class to become a barrister. Last week she tweeted how she鈥檇 been mistaken for a defendant three times in one day in court. She joins Jane.

Live, learn and thrive 鈥� that鈥� what Andrea McLean wants us to be able to achieve with the help of her new book 鈥淭his Girl is on Fire鈥�. In it she shares her own experiences of overcoming toxic relationships, a breakdown and burnout to help us see that we can change ourselves and change our life.

There are many terms that are used to describe spending time alone, but most of them have negative connotations. Journalist Francesca Specter has coined the term 鈥渁lonement鈥� to describe celebrating the time you spend alone. She shares the inspiration behind the term, how it has helped her during lockdown, and how we can all learn the skills of solitude.

A new study led by researchers at UCL and York University, Canada, shows that skin to skin contact with a parent reduces how strongly a newborn baby鈥檚 brain responds to a painful medical jab. Dr Laura Jones explains.

Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Dianne McGregor