India Rakusen explores the emotion of surprise — from classic knock-knock jokes to the complex, messy business of toddler toilet training. Along the way, we hear how surprise isn’t just a fleeting reaction, but a powerful engine for learning, adaptation, and belief change.

We dive into how surprise shapes our understanding of the world, and even how diversity in early years education can offer rich, surprising moments that foster deeper learning.

This episode unpacks how moments of unpredictability - big and small - help children build resilience, challenge social assumptions, and ultimately grow. Welcome to the surprising world of… Surprise.

Presented by: India Rakusen. Producer: Ellie Sans Assistant Producer: Charlotte Evans-Young Executive producer: Alex Hollands Commissioning Exec: Paula McDonnell Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon and Eska Mtungwazi Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King

A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4