Understanding Your Two-Year-Old

Lisa Miller is consultant child and adolescent psychotherapist and, until recently, Chair of the Child and Family Department at The Tavistock Clinic. She is Editor of the International Journal of Infant Observation.

This book is a gently reassuring and readable publication in which the author, a consultant child and adolescent psychotherapists, describes the complexities involved in the physical and emotional development of the two-year-old child, and sensitively explores the frustrations and challenges these experiences bring to parents and their offspring. The author also infuses the reader with a feeling of acceptance and wonder at the attributes that this `very small person' is attaining during this stage of early years development... Managing difficult behaviour, including impulsiveness and inquisitiveness, is explained and an understanding of the childs perspective is expressed. Family stability and change, and the effects this may have on the child, are discussed with sincerity with a relaxed and knowledgeable writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a child of this age or who has contact with young children at work or within the family. It offers interesting insight and understanding and is written in a positive respect for the individuals of the future.

• Introduction. 1. A Sense of Self. 2. Learning to Look After Yourself. 3. Relationships. 4. The Development of Body and Mind. 5. The Parents. Conclusion. Further Reading. Helpful Organizations. Index.