This is a guide to early childhood emotional and intellectual development. Focusing on the link between loving but firm parenting and the successful development of a child, the book aims to help parents avoid the trap of overindulgence and offers guidelines on creating a stimulating environment for children form birth to the toddler years, understanding what a child's cry means and reacting appropriately, shaping a child's social behaviour and attitudes from the age of eight months onwards, and introducing effective discipline.