There are days in every child's life that shape who they are forever.

There are days in every child 's life that shape who they are forever .


So, Ruru...


Can you go shopping for me?


We need to buy some sushi.


You can go, right?


By myself?


Yes, yes, yes.


No.


Off you go.


Today, three-year-old Ruru faces a challenge that will change his sense of self, his identity.

Today , three - year - old Ruru faces a challenge that will change his sense of self , his identity .


Let's do it.


Yeah!


I'm not going yet.


Why not?


Because you're not going.


You can do it.


You can go, Ruru.


Bye bye, son.


Ruru's dad isn't kidding.


He really is sending his three-year-old son out alone into the streets of Tokyo.

He really is sending his three - year - old son out alone into the streets of Tokyo .


For most parents in the West, this would be an extraordinary thing to do.

For most parents in the West , this would be an extraordinary thing to do .


But here, it's a custom known as the first errand.

But here , it 's a custom known as the first errand .


It's a child's introduction to real independence.

It 's a child 's introduction to real independence .


Ruru's crossed busy roads before and he's been in underpasses, but always with a parent by his side.

Ruru 's crossed busy roads before and he 's been in underpasses , but always with a parent by his side .


Now he's got to find his own way and decide for himself when it's safe and when it isn't.

Now he 's got to find his own way and decide for himself when it 's safe and when it is n't .


Your sushi is ready.


Do you have money?


I do.


Ah, ah, ah, ah!


Having got what he came for, Ruru's embracing his new freedom by spending his dad's change.

Having got what he came for , Ruru 's embracing his new freedom by spending his dad 's change .


More importantly, he's discovered that he's capable of something he could never have imagined before.

More importantly , he 's discovered that he 's capable of something he could never have imagined before .


It's a different little boy that comes back through the front door.

It 's a different little boy that comes back through the front door .


Welcome home.


For Ruru, this is just one step in an incredible journey that takes 2,000 days.

For Ruru , this is just one step in an incredible journey that takes 2,000 days .


2,000 days, when we transform from a helpless newborn into the most capable creature on the planet.

2,000 days , when we transform from a helpless newborn into the most capable creature on the planet .


Told through the eyes of 100 children around the world, this is the extraordinary story of how we learn to talk, move, think and love.

Told through the eyes of 100 children around the world , this is the extraordinary story of how we learn to talk , move , think and love .


This time, how each of us forms a unique identity discovering our passions, our personality.

This time , how each of us forms a unique identity discovering our passions , our personality .


Why did you choose this one today?


Because it has so much roses and gold.


And how we fit in.


From the moment we're born, until we've turned five, 2,000 days.

From the moment we 're born , until we 've turned five , 2,000 days .


That are the secret to becoming you.


That there's baby's heart beating.


Okay.


So here we can see the scrotum and the penis, so it's a boy.

So here we can see the scrotum and the penis , so it 's a boy .


Tiffany is seven months pregnant, and she's making one of the biggest decisions in her baby's life.

Tiffany is seven months pregnant , and she 's making one of the biggest decisions in her baby 's life .


Have you got any names yet?


Because it's a boy, I'm thinking either Zeke...

Because it 's a boy , I 'm thinking either Zeke ...


Zeke?


Okay, that's nice.


If not Zeke, I'm going to go with Slade.

If not Zeke , I 'm going to go with Slade .


Those are my top two names for a boy.


His identity begins with a name.


Zeke.


I love you, Mommy.


It's the sound he'll hear more than any other.

It 's the sound he 'll hear more than any other .


Yes.


Even though, by four months...


Carlos?


babies react to it...


Jesse?


Ah?


They don't yet understand what having a name really means.

They do n't yet understand what having a name really means .


Hussein.


Lily.


Because babies have no idea they're even a person separate from everyone around them.

Because babies have no idea they 're even a person separate from everyone around them .


They think they're part of whoever they're with.

They think they 're part of whoever they 're with .


The sausage is next.


And they can't start building their own identity.

And they ca n't start building their own identity .


Hey.


until they realize there's a "me."


Oh, oh, oh!


This is Nao.


She's nearly two.


She can walk, and she can talk.


Where are you going?


But she still hasn't grasped she's a separate person.

But she still has n't grasped she 's a separate person .


And that means when Nao looks in the mirror...

And that means when Nao looks in the mirror ...


Who is this, Nao?


Who is this?


she doesn't recognize her own reflection.

she does n't recognize her own reflection .


Baby, baby.


It's as if she's looking at some other little girl.

It 's as if she 's looking at some other little girl .


Nao even offers her a cookie.


This other little girl seems to turn up wherever Nao goes.

This other little girl seems to turn up wherever Nao goes .


Wow.


Yeah.


On a trip out to an art gallery, she recognizes her mum's reflection.

On a trip out to an art gallery , she recognizes her mum 's reflection .


Who is that?


Mama.


It's mama, isn't it?


But who does she think is with mum?


Baby.


Mmhmm.


The baby is that other little girl again.

The baby is that other little girl again .


Bye bye.


Yay!


Three months later...


They've brought something for us.


And Nao's world is about to change forever.

And Nao 's world is about to change forever .


Let's eat.


Is it Mimi?


Who is it? Is it Seiichi?


Nao.


Well done!


It's Nao.


When Nao sees the milkshake that's on her face,

When Nao sees the milkshake that 's on her face ,


is also in the reflection.


For the first time ever, she realizes that the little girl in the mirror is her.

For the first time ever , she realizes that the little girl in the mirror is her .


It's the breakthrough she needs to start forming her identity.

It 's the breakthrough she needs to start forming her identity .


Grapefruit.


It's easy to miss this milestone, and most parents do.

It 's easy to miss this milestone , and most parents do .


But they certainly won't miss what comes next.

But they certainly wo n't miss what comes next .


No!


Around the time a child works out who's really in the mirror, their world becomes all about "me."

Around the time a child works out who 's really in the mirror , their world becomes all about " me . "


Welcome to the terrible twos.


No.


Mine. Mine. Mine.


Oh, you wanna take it off by yourself?

Oh , you wanna take it off by yourself ?


Hey, that's mine.


My turn.


Oh, those are Jackson's boots.


Mine.


Put on a shirt?


No, me.


I'm gonna do it.


This period of self-obsession soon leads to self-discovery, when we work out what we like doing most.

This period of self - obsession soon leads to self - discovery , when we work out what we like doing most .


Ah!


Tenjing lives in the remote foothills of the Himalayas.

Tenjing lives in the remote foothills of the Himalayas .


At three years old, he's found something he's passionate about.

At three years old , he 's found something he 's passionate about .


Let's put on your uniform and go to school.

Let 's put on your uniform and go to school .


I don't want to go to school.


If you go, you will become a great person one day.

If you go , you will become a great person one day .


I want to take a photo.


You want to take a photo?


Hurry up now.


Don't keep taking photos.


Put your uniform on.


Get up and stand straight.


Let's go to school now, photos later.

Let 's go to school now , photos later .


We're late!


To school.


Now go.


Go to school, all right?


Sit lower.


Sit properly.


Tenjing first saw a camera when tourists were taking photos around his village.

Tenjing first saw a camera when tourists were taking photos around his village .


And since then, nothing he encounters is allowed to go unphotographed.

And since then , nothing he encounters is allowed to go unphotographed .


At this age, nearly all children find passions and one in three take it to an extreme, developing what psychologists call an intense interest.

At this age , nearly all children find passions and one in three take it to an extreme , developing what psychologists call an intense interest .


I want to get in here and take a photo.

I want to get in here and take a photo .


The kids from school.


Nothing can come between Tenjing and his camera.

Nothing can come between Tenjing and his camera .


Tenjing, let's go to school, quick!


Least of all, school.


Everyone else has gone in.


No, I don't want to go.


From a parent's point of view, an intense interest might be trying.

From a parent 's point of view , an intense interest might be trying .


One, two, three...


But when it's nurtured, it helps a child grow their sense of identity.

But when it 's nurtured , it helps a child grow their sense of identity .


Tenjing.


Where did you go?


There.


Sit down there.


Were you going around taking photos with a camera?

Were you going around taking photos with a camera ?


Your friends have put up such nice pictures there.

Your friends have put up such nice pictures there .


Let's stick your photos up here as well.

Let 's stick your photos up here as well .


Will it be okay or not?


All right.


Wow, I like this one very much.


Tenjing isn't just playing around.


He's letting the world know something.

He 's letting the world know something .


"This is me, Tenjing, the kid who takes photos."

" This is me , Tenjing , the kid who takes photos . "


This one is nice.


That one is nice?


This one is also nice.


And he appreciates it when that's taken seriously.

And he appreciates it when that 's taken seriously .


We'll stick them on the wall, all right?

We 'll stick them on the wall , all right ?


I'm going to run to the classroom.


Where shall I stick it?


Here?


For any parent, it's hard to resist imagining their three-year-old's bright future.

For any parent , it 's hard to resist imagining their three - year - old 's bright future .


Will Tenjing be the next famous portrait photographer?

Will Tenjing be the next famous portrait photographer ?


This is my triceratops.


Will Alex become a professor of paleontology?

Will Alex become a professor of paleontology ?


Brachiosaurus.


Ankylosaurus.


Pachycephalosaurus.


Maybe.


But there's no evidence to show that childhood obsessions have any bearing on who we become as adults.

But there 's no evidence to show that childhood obsessions have any bearing on who we become as adults .


I found some!


Snail trail.


Come on, look for snails!


In fact, most intense interests wane after two years.

In fact , most intense interests wane after two years .


But that's not what's important for now.

But that 's not what 's important for now .


Airport line.


Passions help a child figure out who they are and what makes them stand out.

Passions help a child figure out who they are and what makes them stand out .


Horsey.


At three, we're getting to know ourselves well, but there's one important part of our identity we're not yet ready to commit to.

At three , we 're getting to know ourselves well , but there 's one important part of our identity we 're not yet ready to commit to .


Ha!


I can choose the yellow dress.


Hey, buddy.


Hmm?


Did you pick out a dress?


Yeah.


Why did you choose this one today?


Because it has so much roses and gold.


I love it.


And it has shiny sparkles and designs over here and shiny sparkles up here and over here.

And it has shiny sparkles and designs over here and shiny sparkles up here and over here .


You're right.


That's why I picked it out.


Kiran is going through a princess phase.

Kiran is going through a princess phase .


Let's look for some shoes.


Oh, these match.


Perfect.


Let me see.


Silver and silver and golden and golden.

Silver and silver and golden and golden .


I think it looks perfect.


What do you think?


Look at when I run.


Oh, I see!


Look at that.


Do you think with this outfit we could go to Treasure Trunk?

Do you think with this outfit we could go to Treasure Trunk ?


Yeah.


Hey, buddy.


How are you?


I'm good.


Can I have a hug and a kiss?


Are you ready to hit the road?


All right.


Like all children his age, Kiran doesn't think of himself as having a fixed gender.

Like all children his age , Kiran does n't think of himself as having a fixed gender .


In his mind, he can switch between being a boy or a girl.

In his mind , he can switch between being a boy or a girl .


One, two, three.


Oh, that's a good one.


Oh, good point.


Very well done.


How does it feel?


Good.


For parents, this might seem puzzling, as their baby's sex is usually the first thing they want to know.

For parents , this might seem puzzling , as their baby 's sex is usually the first thing they want to know .


Hold on.


Do you see the Statue of Liberty?


Yeah.


Do you see her?


Do you need to get a boost from Daddy?


Can't see it.


Maybe a little boost from Daddy?


Ready?


Yeah, a boost.


Boost.


Whee! See her!


The Statue of Liberty!


It's just a statue.


She is a statue.


You're right.


It is.


She's not a real woman.


You go first.


Everyone gets to choose who they want to be today.

Everyone gets to choose who they want to be today .


Are you guys ready for a big drumroll, please?

Are you guys ready for a big drumroll , please ?


We have safari hats and fireman hats and construction hats and ...


Whoa! You guys found our beautiful wands!

Whoa ! You guys found our beautiful wands !


You want yellow to match your dress?


Yes!


Yes.


Oh, and


Kiran often goes to his drama class as a princess.

Kiran often goes to his drama class as a princess .


There's two magical wands.


Oh, and we have...


The other kids don't bat an eyelid.


Look at my wand!


For them, gender is superficial...


Hooray!


just like the clothes they wear.


One more.


Boom!


Yeah.


Wow.


One, two, three.


Go!


One, two, three, go!


One, two, whoa!


But things change quickly.


What's irrelevant to a three-year-old can become very important once they turn four.

What 's irrelevant to a three - year - old can become very important once they turn four .


One more time.


Ready?


One...


...two, three!


Thousands of miles away in London...


lifelong friends Delilah and Lochlan are enjoying a playdate.

lifelong friends Delilah and Lochlan are enjoying a playdate .


They enjoyed that.


They can eat the crumbs.


Why don't they eat the crumbs?


But now they're four, something threatens their friendship.

But now they 're four , something threatens their friendship .


At this age, children start to conform and want to follow what they see as the rules of the world.

At this age , children start to conform and want to follow what they see as the rules of the world .


Are you ready?


Are you listening?


Lochlan, we're not going to put our fingers in our mouth.

Lochlan , we 're not going to put our fingers in our mouth .


Delilah and Lochlan have started school.

Delilah and Lochlan have started school .


Gaby.


I need to weewee!


And they're not just learning in the classroom.

And they 're not just learning in the classroom .


I got the sword!


They've been picking up signals about how they're expected to behave.

They 've been picking up signals about how they 're expected to behave .


Especially Lochlan.


Since joining school, he's started thinking of himself as one of the boys.

Since joining school , he 's started thinking of himself as one of the boys .


No!


Lochlan, can I have one of yours?


Just find some in there.


Can I, please?


Oliver.


And Delilah is aware enough to realize just where that leaves her.

And Delilah is aware enough to realize just where that leaves her .


Lochlan's not really being a bad friend.

Lochlan 's not really being a bad friend .


He's just acting his age.


I'm gonna trap him.


I'm gonna trap him!


For one thing, boys tend to fall into large, singlesex groups earlier than girls do.

For one thing , boys tend to fall into large , singlesex groups earlier than girls do .


And become interested in a certain kind of play.

And become interested in a certain kind of play .


He's in charge of this pirate ship.


So we're all having a lousy trip.


Remember, guys.


The girls are only allowed to play in the home corner and here.

The girls are only allowed to play in the home corner and here .


Yeah.


That's good.


In playgrounds around the world, the picture is much the same.

In playgrounds around the world , the picture is much the same .


Look what I found.


Eight out of ten times, boys play with boys, and girls play with girls.

Eight out of ten times , boys play with boys , and girls play with girls .


Do you need a bottle?


Go on.


Have a nice time.


Here you are.


Delilah will be fine.


Daya.


Gia.


But for all her class, the quirky individualism of the three-year-old has come to an end.

But for all her class , the quirky individualism of the three - year - old has come to an end .


At four, we literally fall into line.


Very, very excited today in San Antonio.

Very , very excited today in San Antonio .


The Missions are playing at...


...and good weather for the game this afternoon.

... and good weather for the game this afternoon .


I wish our boys the best of luck.


You excited for the game?


No, I don't care.


No?


You're not excited?


A four-year-old's desire to conform stems from the uniquely human desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

A four - year - old 's desire to conform stems from the uniquely human desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves .


Yeah! We get to go watch the game.


You ready?


Yeah!


Being one of the group brings all kinds of new pleasures.

Being one of the group brings all kinds of new pleasures .


Four-and-a-half-year-old Xever's family are dedicated fans of baseball team, the San Antonio Missions.

Four - and - a - half - year - old Xever 's family are dedicated fans of baseball team , the San Antonio Missions .


Today, Xever's not staying home with a babysitter on the day of a big game.

Today , Xever 's not staying home with a babysitter on the day of a big game .


And there's a lot to take in.


It's overwhelming but thrilling.


Strike one!


Ooh! Aw.


Before long, Xever's learning the rules of the game.

Before long , Xever 's learning the rules of the game .


Two what?


Strikes.


Oh.


Strikes and two outs.


Yes, sir.


And starts to play along with the crowd.

And starts to play along with the crowd .


You are bad!


Xever, go like this.


Go, "Whoo!"


In Xever's mind, he's now a Missions fan, just like his mum and dad.

In Xever 's mind , he 's now a Missions fan , just like his mum and dad .


We can be here for ...


Let's go, Chanclas!


Go, Chanclas!


These rituals can give us a big hit of feel-good brain chemicals.

These rituals can give us a big hit of feel - good brain chemicals .


It's genuinely euphoric.


No other animal gathers in this way for entertainment.

No other animal gathers in this way for entertainment .


Doing so as a group is part of what makes us us.

Doing so as a group is part of what makes us us .


You ready?


Let's go.


Is it done?


Yeah, it's done.


You wanna stay forever?


Yay! Yeah!


You gonna touch it?


Ooh.


Give me five.


Having found our group, simply belonging to it isn't enough.

Having found our group , simply belonging to it is n't enough .


You have fun?


Did you have fun?


Yeah.


Yeah?


That's good.


Soon, we want to find our own place within it.

Soon , we want to find our own place within it .


Arzanna is one of the Bajau sea people who live in stilt villages off the coast of Borneo.

Arzanna is one of the Bajau sea people who live in stilt villages off the coast of Borneo .


They are entirely dependent on the sea to make a living.

They are entirely dependent on the sea to make a living .


And everyone has to contribute, however old or young they might be.

And everyone has to contribute , however old or young they might be .


Five is the age when we start to ask the question.

Five is the age when we start to ask the question .


"How do I fit in?"


As Arzanna's finding out.


Try to catch as many as you can.


If you don't get any, there's no dinner tonight.

If you do n't get any , there 's no dinner tonight .


Don't go too far otherwise you'll go missing.

Do n't go too far otherwise you 'll go missing .


Good luck!


She's joining a fishing trip to collect clams for this evening's supper.

She 's joining a fishing trip to collect clams for this evening 's supper .


There's a stonefish!


Don't go down.


I saw a clam.


Hurry up, let's get it.


Yeah, you get it.


Near that coral.


Arzanna wants to do what the other children are doing.

Arzanna wants to do what the other children are doing .


Get out from the boat.


Let's go.


She's understandably scared to dive right down to the bottom to collect clams.

She 's understandably scared to dive right down to the bottom to collect clams .


This time, anyway.


But she's determined to prove herself and find a useful job.

But she 's determined to prove herself and find a useful job .


Let me do it for you.


I'll give it to you later anyway.


So instead, she volunteers to get the clams ready for the evening meal.

So instead , she volunteers to get the clams ready for the evening meal .


Thank you for this clam.


I hope you will get many more.


Arzanna gets plenty of praise.


Thank you for giving this clam to me.


Go home safely.


Don't forget to wear a shirt next time.

Do n't forget to wear a shirt next time .


For a child, a moment like this isn't just about helping to get a meal ready.

For a child , a moment like this is n't just about helping to get a meal ready .


It's about establishing their place in the world.

It 's about establishing their place in the world .


A key step in building an identity.


After 2,000 days, we have a strong sense of who we are and are keen to share that with the people around us.

After 2,000 days , we have a strong sense of who we are and are keen to share that with the people around us .


Wakeup time.


Aaah!


Who woke me up?


Okay, class, settle down.


This is actually a time capsule.


And what you do with a time capsule,you put things into it, like memories, and you bury it.

And what you do with a time capsule , you put things into it , like memories , and you bury it .


Ooh.


This is five-year-old Jax.


Today, he and his classmates are taking part in a kindergarten project.

Today , he and his classmates are taking part in a kindergarten project .


What I want you to do is fill in the sheet.

What I want you to do is fill in the sheet .


All of these things tells us who you are.

All of these things tells us who you are .


And we're gonna roll them up and put them in the time capsule.

And we 're gon na roll them up and put them in the time capsule .


In ten years, we're going to dig it up.

In ten years , we 're going to dig it up .


And you'll get to see what you thought about yourself when you were five years old.

And you 'll get to see what you thought about yourself when you were five years old .


In ten years?


Oh, my gosh, that's gonna take forever.

Oh , my gosh , that 's gon na take forever .


All right, so, go ahead.


Yeah, that's gonna take forever.


Not so long ago, if you'd asked Jax and his friends to describe themselves, you wouldn't have got much of an answer.

Not so long ago , if you 'd asked Jax and his friends to describe themselves , you would n't have got much of an answer .


Look at my big hat.


Look.


But not anymore.


That's me.


That's me dressed up as a ninja.


That looks like a potato.


It's not a potato!


Potatoes do not have arms.


Come on!


Okay.


Let's wrap it up.


Who's sitting correctly to present their project?

Who 's sitting correctly to present their project ?


Let me see.


Um...


Jax.


Yes!


Jax has not only worked out who he is.


He's also eager to share this with the world something only humans do.

He 's also eager to share this with the world something only humans do .


Tell me, who are you, Jax?


Hi, I'm Jax, and I'm five.


Um, my favorite food is pizza and chicken nuggets.

Um , my favorite food is pizza and chicken nuggets .


And what word did you use to describe yourself?

And what word did you use to describe yourself ?


Goofy.


Why do you use that word?


I laugh all the time.


I laugh so much, I'm almost about to explode.

I laugh so much , I 'm almost about to explode .