31 episodes

The podcast that helps you find the joy in parenting, and ditch the guilt and worry!

My First Five Years dives into the issues facing parents of children under five today, helping them to navigate the most rewarding and challenging role they will ever have. Hosted by early childhood experts Jennie Johnson MBE and Alistair Bryce-Clegg, who have decades of experience with young children between them, you’ll hear the latest scientific research on child development and get expert tips that actually work.

Hosts Jennie and Alistair speak to experts about the latest on topics like sleep and nutrition, as well as covering everything from lockdown babies to challenging behaviour.

This myth-busting podcast helps you to understand your child, so that you don’t miss the magic in the smallest, often unnoticed, moments of their development, meaning you grow in confidence as a parent and have more fun along the way.

My First Five Years My First Five Years

    • Kids & Family
    • 4.9 • 87 Ratings

The podcast that helps you find the joy in parenting, and ditch the guilt and worry!

My First Five Years dives into the issues facing parents of children under five today, helping them to navigate the most rewarding and challenging role they will ever have. Hosted by early childhood experts Jennie Johnson MBE and Alistair Bryce-Clegg, who have decades of experience with young children between them, you’ll hear the latest scientific research on child development and get expert tips that actually work.

Hosts Jennie and Alistair speak to experts about the latest on topics like sleep and nutrition, as well as covering everything from lockdown babies to challenging behaviour.

This myth-busting podcast helps you to understand your child, so that you don’t miss the magic in the smallest, often unnoticed, moments of their development, meaning you grow in confidence as a parent and have more fun along the way.

    A Realistic Guide To Christmas For Imperfect Parents

    A Realistic Guide To Christmas For Imperfect Parents

    “We’re all pretty good at adding additional jobs to our jobs list at Christmas and we really don’t need to.”
    Discover top tips to help you through the festive season with your under-five and find out how to uncover the true magic of Christmas (spoiler alert, it doesn’t include a trip to Santa’s grotto). Hosted by early childhood experts Jennie Johnson MBE and Alistair Bryce-Clegg, you’ll hear how to make magical memories, how to handle the mental load over the festive season, whether there’s such a thing as too many presents and what to do about it, why children can find Christmas overwhelming and how to help them, and five easy hacks for a smooth and realistic Christmas. 
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    If you’d like to purchase My First Five Years Baby, the first in our new book series with Bloomsbury, head to mffy.com/book.
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 27 min
    England Lioness Toni Duggan Podcast Special

    England Lioness Toni Duggan Podcast Special

    “There’s a saying that it takes a village to bring a baby up, and it actually does.”
    England Lioness and Everton footballer Toni Duggan joins My First Five Years co-founders Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Jennie Johnson to talk about breaking boundaries for maternity leave in women’s football, morning sickness at work, the importance of having a support network, and the benefits of the women’s game that extend off the pitch. 
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 36 min
    Our Top Tips And Best Bits From The Last Six Months

    Our Top Tips And Best Bits From The Last Six Months

    “We've found through our own experience of six children between us that once you understand some of the science and research behind how children develop in the early years, it can really help you to relax and put some of the joy back into parenting.”
    Join My First Five Years co-founders Jennie Johnson and Alistair Bryce-Clegg as they look back on what they’ve learned from the past six months on the podcast, including travelling with children, learning to walk, managing the mental load and parenting in a sustainable way.
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 36 min
    Mental Load Special with Motherkind’s Zoe Blaskey

    Mental Load Special with Motherkind’s Zoe Blaskey

    “80% of people consuming parenting knowledge, trying to learn how to handle feelings, and learning about milestones, are mothers. And that takes an awful lot of time, energy and effort… It’s a really important part of the mental load that mothers are picking up.”
    My First Five Years co-founders Jennie Johnson and Alistair Bryce-Clegg are joined by Zoe Blaskey, transformational coach and founder of Motherkind, to talk about the mental load – the often-invisible jobs that take up your time and energy, from remembering outfits for World Book Day to tracking milestones, from researching your child’s sleep to organising playdates. You’ll hear how to start sharing the load in a way that feels achievable and how to tackle it as a team, as well as five top tips to take away.
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 36 min
    Jobs Of The Future For Your Child With Jimmy Mcloughlin

    Jobs Of The Future For Your Child With Jimmy Mcloughlin

    “Resilience and creativity will be the most important things that will be required for the future.”
    My First Five Years co-founders Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Jennie Johnson are joined by Jimmy McLoughlin OBE of Jobs of the Future to discuss the skills that will support your child in the fast-changing world of work. You’ll hear how allowing your child to fail holds the key to success, which areas might be ones to watch, and how being a flexible parent can impact your child positively.
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 39 min
    Protecting The Planet For Your Child With Parents For Future

    Protecting The Planet For Your Child With Parents For Future

    “Leading by example is so massively important and I think that’s one of the biggest inspirations for children.” 
    This Zero Waste week, My First Five Years co-founders Jennie Johnson and Alistair Bryce-Clegg are joined by Charlotte Howell-Jones from Parents for Future. You’ll hear how to inspire your child to enjoy nature and look after the planet in an age-appropriate way, easy, practical actions parents can take that can save money as well as the planet, and how to reassure your child if they suffer from climate anxiety.
    For more information and tips on your child’s early years, download the My First Five Years app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-first-five-years/id1567551364
    Jennie Johnson MBE founded the well-respected company Kids Allowed, best in class multi-award winning and top position on independent national league table for quality. Passionate about impact, high-performing teams and having fun. Doing well by doing good.
    Alistair Bryce-Clegg has had an incredibly successful career in early years, being a headteacher for ten years as well as establishing an internationally renowned consultancy. He is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, having done a TED talk and published 25 books.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
87 Ratings

87 Ratings

Lea13P ,

Such a brilliant find!

Brilliant podcast with helpful advice and I think it’s so useful to hear the theory behind the ideas shared. As a mum to two toddlers, I love listening to this podcast and I’ve shared it with so many other friends. Keep them coming!

Fran mum of 3 ,

Mealtime meltdowns was great!

Such a relief listening to this, particularly their discussion on gagging. And the “beige food phase” is spot on! Brilliant podcast, please keep them coming!

Rabbitexocist ,

Really useful

Great podcast for new parents! Loved the Christmas episode!

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