Psychology Library Editions: Child Development – serie

Originally published in 1990, this book looks at the history of developmental psychology in order to locate and evaluate the role played by biology in its most influential formulations.First Charles Darwin’s own writings on child development are examined. It is shown that Darwin endorsed such ideas as the ‘recapitulation’ of evolutionary ancestry in the developing child, even though this is inconsistent with his natural selection theory. The first great developmentalists – Hall, Baldwin, Freud – adopted and applied these non-Darwinian evolutionist ideas. The next generation – Vygotsky, Piaget, Werner – applied similar ideas in a variety of ways.Alongside this evolutionism, but interconnected with it, sensationist/empiricist forms of epistemology were directing developmentalists (from Rousseau onwards) to see the child as having to work himself out of sense-bound experience – to develop further and further from the ‘here-and-now’. Contemporary developmental theory retains these influences: biological approaches (ethological, psychobiological) remain pre-Darwinian in spirit; lifespan theories remain attached to biology; formal/cognitive approaches remain attached to sensationism. ‘Social context’ approaches are rather half-hearted, and it is only the social-constructionist orientation which seems to offer a real alternative to biology. Major conclusions are stated in chapter ten, which includes a re-evaluation of Darwin’s role.

Originally published in 1990, this book looks at the history of developmental psychology in order to locate and evaluate the role played by biology in its most influential formulations.First Charles Darwin’s own writings on child development are examined. It is shown that Darwin endorsed such ideas as the ‘recapitulation’ of evolutionary ancestry in the developing child, even though this is inconsistent with his natural selection theory. The first great developmentalists – Hall, Baldwin, Freud – adopted and applied these non-Darwinian evolutionist ideas. The next generation – Vygotsky, Piaget, Werner – applied similar ideas in a variety of ways.Alongside this evolutionism, but interconnected with it, sensationist/empiricist forms of epistemology were directing developmentalists (from Rousseau onwards) to see the child as having to work himself out of sense-bound experience – to develop further and further from the ‘here-and-now’. Contemporary developmental theory retains these influences: biological approaches (ethological, psychobiological) remain pre-Darwinian in spirit; lifespan theories remain attached to biology; formal/cognitive approaches remain attached to sensationism. ‘Social context’ approaches are rather half-hearted, and it is only the social-constructionist orientation which seems to offer a real alternative to biology. Major conclusions are stated in chapter ten, which includes a re-evaluation of Darwin’s role.

Originally published in 1993, this monograph addresses a central problem in Piaget’s work, which is the temporal construction of necessary knowledge. The main argument is that both normative and empirical issues are relevant to a minimally adequate account of the development of modal understanding. This central argument embodies three main claims. One claim is philosophical. Although the concepts of knowledge and necessity are problematic, there is sufficient agreement about their core elements due to the fundamental difference between truth-value and modality. Any account of human rationality has to respect this distinction. The second claim is that this normative distinction is not always respected in psychological research on the origins of knowledge where emphasis is placed on the procedures and methods used to gain good empirical evidence. An account of the initial acquisition of knowledge is not thereby an account of its legitimation in the human mind. The third claim relates to epistemology. Intellectual development is a process in which available knowledge is used in the construction of better knowledge. The monograph identifies features of a modal model of intellectual construction, whereby some form of necessary knowledge is always used. Intellectual development occurs as the reduction of modal errors through the differentiation and coordination of available forms of modal understanding. Piaget’s work continues to provide distinctive and intelligible answers to a substantive and outstanding problem.

Originally published in 1993, this monograph addresses a central problem in Piaget’s work, which is the temporal construction of necessary knowledge. The main argument is that both normative and empirical issues are relevant to a minimally adequate account of the development of modal understanding. This central argument embodies three main claims. One claim is philosophical. Although the concepts of knowledge and necessity are problematic, there is sufficient agreement about their core elements due to the fundamental difference between truth-value and modality. Any account of human rationality has to respect this distinction. The second claim is that this normative distinction is not always respected in psychological research on the origins of knowledge where emphasis is placed on the procedures and methods used to gain good empirical evidence. An account of the initial acquisition of knowledge is not thereby an account of its legitimation in the human mind. The third claim relates to epistemology. Intellectual development is a process in which available knowledge is used in the construction of better knowledge. The monograph identifies features of a modal model of intellectual construction, whereby some form of necessary knowledge is always used. Intellectual development occurs as the reduction of modal errors through the differentiation and coordination of available forms of modal understanding. Piaget’s work continues to provide distinctive and intelligible answers to a substantive and outstanding problem.

Originally published in 1978, contemporary theory and research into childhood social development had demonstrated the necessity to re-appraise the notion that socialization is merely a process of shaping the behaviour of the child to fit the mores of society. It was now evident that, from the beginnings of post-partum life, the human infant is an active participant in social encounters, modifying the behaviour of others as well as being influenced by them. Hence, social development must be construed as an interactive process, to which the young organism makes his own dynamic contribution. This book, comprising a collection of original essays by prominent investigators in the field, considers issues arising from this modified perspective. It examines the biological basis of social development, the role of child-caretaker interaction, the significance of sex differences, the influence of peer relations and the perceptual-cognitive factors which contribute to childhood social development and to the developing child’s understanding of society.

Originally published in 1978, contemporary theory and research into childhood social development had demonstrated the necessity to re-appraise the notion that socialization is merely a process of shaping the behaviour of the child to fit the mores of society. It was now evident that, from the beginnings of post-partum life, the human infant is an active participant in social encounters, modifying the behaviour of others as well as being influenced by them. Hence, social development must be construed as an interactive process, to which the young organism makes his own dynamic contribution. This book, comprising a collection of original essays by prominent investigators in the field, considers issues arising from this modified perspective. It examines the biological basis of social development, the role of child-caretaker interaction, the significance of sex differences, the influence of peer relations and the perceptual-cognitive factors which contribute to childhood social development and to the developing child’s understanding of society.

Are child-care centres good for children? How can we provide good day-care? Feminists have long argued for the provision of day-care facilities so that mothers may be free to work outside the home. The call had enjoyed little support from politicians and experts, however. Feminists had been seen to stand for women’s interests, and psychologists and pedagogues for children’s – as if the two were opposed. Only in the early 1990s had the opinions of politicians and experts begun to change. Yet, even so, a positive policy on day-care was still lacking. Originally published in 1992, Elly Singer’s exciting book shed a fresh and critical light on its subject. She exposes the preoccupations and contradictions of mainstream developmental psychology and its experts, shows how their theories blind them to many important questions, and reveals the almost total denial by mainstream psychology of the daily realities of parents and their children at the time. Elly Singer then proposes fresh ways of thinking to meet the new and different circumstances in which children and parents find themselves in contemporary society.

Are child-care centres good for children? How can we provide good day-care? Feminists have long argued for the provision of day-care facilities so that mothers may be free to work outside the home. The call had enjoyed little support from politicians and experts, however. Feminists had been seen to stand for women’s interests, and psychologists and pedagogues for children’s – as if the two were opposed. Only in the early 1990s had the opinions of politicians and experts begun to change. Yet, even so, a positive policy on day-care was still lacking. Originally published in 1992, Elly Singer’s exciting book shed a fresh and critical light on its subject. She exposes the preoccupations and contradictions of mainstream developmental psychology and its experts, shows how their theories blind them to many important questions, and reveals the almost total denial by mainstream psychology of the daily realities of parents and their children at the time. Elly Singer then proposes fresh ways of thinking to meet the new and different circumstances in which children and parents find themselves in contemporary society.

Play is the child’s way of learning about, adapting to and integrating with his or her environment. In addition to adequate sports and recreation facilities children need a wide variety of opportunities, choices and raw materials that they can use as they see fit for free constructive creative play. Originally published in 1980, these essays, drawn from papers given at the International Playgrounds Association’s Seventh World Congress, focus on the social significance of play. However, both the Association and the book itself are not solely concerned with ‘playgrounds’ in the formal sense; rather, they are concerned with the wide range of play environments that are – or should be – available to children. It is recognised that play opportunities can exist for the child in and around the home (playrooms, backyards), the school and public park (traditional, adventure and creative playgrounds), the institution (day-care centres, hospitals), and the city qua city (the streets and shopping centres). This work is concerned with all these environments, considering the developmental aspects of play in a social context. The varied contributions from researchers and play leaders from several countries, consider such topics as the importance of play, development through play, leadership training and special groups.

Play is the child’s way of learning about, adapting to and integrating with his or her environment. In addition to adequate sports and recreation facilities children need a wide variety of opportunities, choices and raw materials that they can use as they see fit for free constructive creative play. Originally published in 1980, these essays, drawn from papers given at the International Playgrounds Association’s Seventh World Congress, focus on the social significance of play. However, both the Association and the book itself are not solely concerned with ‘playgrounds’ in the formal sense; rather, they are concerned with the wide range of play environments that are – or should be – available to children. It is recognised that play opportunities can exist for the child in and around the home (playrooms, backyards), the school and public park (traditional, adventure and creative playgrounds), the institution (day-care centres, hospitals), and the city qua city (the streets and shopping centres). This work is concerned with all these environments, considering the developmental aspects of play in a social context. The varied contributions from researchers and play leaders from several countries, consider such topics as the importance of play, development through play, leadership training and special groups.

Originally published in 1979, this volume represented a unique attempt to connect the usually separated fields of infancy studies and studies of older children. In each chapter, eminent research workers attempt to cross the theoretical, empirical, and methodological barriers that had traditionally separated the study of preverbal infants from the study of verbal children and adults at the time. These completely new and original contributions traced the developmental links between birth and conversation within three major categories: perceptual, cognitive, and language development. Although the chapters range from reports of well-defined research areas to theoretical propositions, the aim throughout was to relate the events of the first year of life to the child’s later perceptual and cognitive activity. This book will still be of interest for all concerned with child development and related areas, in that it demonstrates the remarkable range of observations about infants brought under a single guiding set of questions about continuity, stability, and the sources of change during and after the first year of life.

Originally published in 1979, this volume represented a unique attempt to connect the usually separated fields of infancy studies and studies of older children. In each chapter, eminent research workers attempt to cross the theoretical, empirical, and methodological barriers that had traditionally separated the study of preverbal infants from the study of verbal children and adults at the time. These completely new and original contributions traced the developmental links between birth and conversation within three major categories: perceptual, cognitive, and language development. Although the chapters range from reports of well-defined research areas to theoretical propositions, the aim throughout was to relate the events of the first year of life to the child’s later perceptual and cognitive activity. This book will still be of interest for all concerned with child development and related areas, in that it demonstrates the remarkable range of observations about infants brought under a single guiding set of questions about continuity, stability, and the sources of change during and after the first year of life.

Children treat play as an end in itself while adults treat it as a means which may serve several developmental functions. Although traditional educational thinking had emphasised academic work rather than play as the important learning tool at the time, opinion was changing rapidly. Originally published in 1980, these essays drawn from papers given at the International Playground Association’s Seventh World Conference, concentrate on the planning and design of play programmes and play environments. The book reviews the historical approach to play, play in the home, play in institutional settings, handicapped children, planning for play in extreme climatic conditions and play environments beyond the traditional playground. It also considers the child and the urban environment, discussing high-rise residential environments, and the street and the city.

Children treat play as an end in itself while adults treat it as a means which may serve several developmental functions. Although traditional educational thinking had emphasised academic work rather than play as the important learning tool at the time, opinion was changing rapidly. Originally published in 1980, these essays drawn from papers given at the International Playground Association’s Seventh World Conference, concentrate on the planning and design of play programmes and play environments. The book reviews the historical approach to play, play in the home, play in institutional settings, handicapped children, planning for play in extreme climatic conditions and play environments beyond the traditional playground. It also considers the child and the urban environment, discussing high-rise residential environments, and the street and the city.

Originally published in 1993, the starting place for this book is the notion, current in the literature for around 30 years at that time, that children could not learn their native language without substantial innate knowledge of its grammatical structure. It is argued that the notion is as problematic for contemporary theories of development as it was for theories of the past. Accepting this, the book attempts an in-depth study of the notions credibility. Central to the book’s argument is the conclusion that the innateness hypothesis runs into two major problems. Firstly, its proponents are too ready to treat children as embryonic linguists, concerned with the representation of sentences as an end in itself. A more realistic approach would be to regard children as communication engineers, storing sentences to optimize the production and retrieval of meaning. Secondly, even when the communication analogy is adopted, it is glibly assumed that the meanings children impute will be the ones adults intend. One of the book’s major contentions is that a careful reading of contemporary research suggests that the meanings may differ considerably. Identifying such problems, the book considers how development should proceed, given learning along communication lines and a more plausible analysis of meaning. It makes detailed predictions about what would be anticipated given no innate knowledge of grammar. Focusing on English but giving full acknowledgement to cross-linguistic research, it concludes that the predictions are consistent with both the known timescale of learning and the established facts about children’s knowledge. Thus the book aspires to a serious challenge to the innateness hypothesis via, as its final chapter will argue, a model which is much more reassuring to psychological theory.

Originally published in 1993, the starting place for this book is the notion, current in the literature for around 30 years at that time, that children could not learn their native language without substantial innate knowledge of its grammatical structure. It is argued that the notion is as problematic for contemporary theories of development as it was for theories of the past. Accepting this, the book attempts an in-depth study of the notions credibility. Central to the book’s argument is the conclusion that the innateness hypothesis runs into two major problems. Firstly, its proponents are too ready to treat children as embryonic linguists, concerned with the representation of sentences as an end in itself. A more realistic approach would be to regard children as communication engineers, storing sentences to optimize the production and retrieval of meaning. Secondly, even when the communication analogy is adopted, it is glibly assumed that the meanings children impute will be the ones adults intend. One of the book’s major contentions is that a careful reading of contemporary research suggests that the meanings may differ considerably. Identifying such problems, the book considers how development should proceed, given learning along communication lines and a more plausible analysis of meaning. It makes detailed predictions about what would be anticipated given no innate knowledge of grammar. Focusing on English but giving full acknowledgement to cross-linguistic research, it concludes that the predictions are consistent with both the known timescale of learning and the established facts about children’s knowledge. Thus the book aspires to a serious challenge to the innateness hypothesis via, as its final chapter will argue, a model which is much more reassuring to psychological theory.

How do we make sense of people? Human behaviour is complex, so that understanding ourselves and others calls for both objective and subjective viewpoints, as well as a flexible appreciation of human development over time. Dr Sula Wolff believes that knowledge about personality development is essential in three important domains: in the appraisal of deviant behaviour at all ages; in the development of social policy for children; and in therapeutic interventions for children and their families.In this book, originally published in 1989, Dr Wolff gives a comprehensive account of the major aspects of personality development in childhood. She reports research findings and presents developmental theories in their historical context, stressing the interplay between biological and cultural influences on development. Her account includes a wealth of illustrative case histories, with children and parents speaking for themselves; these provide fascinating reading and give substance to statistical results and theoretical propositions.Clearly and simply written, the book will be of interest to many people, and will still be of value to medical students, psychiatrists in training, students in social work and psychology, and teachers in special education.

How do we make sense of people? Human behaviour is complex, so that understanding ourselves and others calls for both objective and subjective viewpoints, as well as a flexible appreciation of human development over time. Dr Sula Wolff believes that knowledge about personality development is essential in three important domains: in the appraisal of deviant behaviour at all ages; in the development of social policy for children; and in therapeutic interventions for children and their families.In this book, originally published in 1989, Dr Wolff gives a comprehensive account of the major aspects of personality development in childhood. She reports research findings and presents developmental theories in their historical context, stressing the interplay between biological and cultural influences on development. Her account includes a wealth of illustrative case histories, with children and parents speaking for themselves; these provide fascinating reading and give substance to statistical results and theoretical propositions.Clearly and simply written, the book will be of interest to many people, and will still be of value to medical students, psychiatrists in training, students in social work and psychology, and teachers in special education.

Since the 1970s researchers in the communicative development of infants and small children had rejected traditional models and began to explore the complex, dynamic properties of communicative exchanges. This title, originally published in 1993, proposed a new and advanced frame of reference to account for the growing body of empirical work on the emergence of communication processes at the time. Communication development in the early years of life undergoes universal processes of change and variations linked to the characteristics and qualities of different social contexts. The first section of the book presents key issues in communication research which were either revisited (intentional communication, imitation, symbolic play) or newly introduced (co-regulation, the role of emotions, shared meaning) in recent years. The second section provides an account of communication as a context-bound process partly inspired by theoretical accounts such as those of Vygotsky and Wallon. Included here are new studies showing differences in communication between infants compared with those between infants and adults, which also have important methodological implications.With perspectives from developmental psychology, psycholinguistics and educational psychology, the international contributors give a multi-disciplinary account of the expansion, variety and richness of current research on early communication. This title will be of particular interest to those involved in child development and communication research, as well as for social, educational and clinical psychologists.

Since the 1970s researchers in the communicative development of infants and small children had rejected traditional models and began to explore the complex, dynamic properties of communicative exchanges. This title, originally published in 1993, proposed a new and advanced frame of reference to account for the growing body of empirical work on the emergence of communication processes at the time. Communication development in the early years of life undergoes universal processes of change and variations linked to the characteristics and qualities of different social contexts. The first section of the book presents key issues in communication research which were either revisited (intentional communication, imitation, symbolic play) or newly introduced (co-regulation, the role of emotions, shared meaning) in recent years. The second section provides an account of communication as a context-bound process partly inspired by theoretical accounts such as those of Vygotsky and Wallon. Included here are new studies showing differences in communication between infants compared with those between infants and adults, which also have important methodological implications.With perspectives from developmental psychology, psycholinguistics and educational psychology, the international contributors give a multi-disciplinary account of the expansion, variety and richness of current research on early communication. This title will be of particular interest to those involved in child development and communication research, as well as for social, educational and clinical psychologists.

Originally published in 1924, this sixth edition published in 1930 is thoroughly revised and updated to take account of the important advances in the field of child psychology at the time. In this new edition the personal standpoint is emphasized, while at the same time other psychological theories such as mental psychology, form psychology, psychoanalysis and individual psychology have been exhaustively treated, criticized and discussed in contradistinction to the theory of personality. Much fuller treatment has been given to the experimental examination of young children for purposes of research and tests, since it is in this form of investigation that major advances had been made. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1924, this sixth edition published in 1930 is thoroughly revised and updated to take account of the important advances in the field of child psychology at the time. In this new edition the personal standpoint is emphasized, while at the same time other psychological theories such as mental psychology, form psychology, psychoanalysis and individual psychology have been exhaustively treated, criticized and discussed in contradistinction to the theory of personality. Much fuller treatment has been given to the experimental examination of young children for purposes of research and tests, since it is in this form of investigation that major advances had been made. Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.

Originally published in 1993, this book presents an alternative approach to the study of the emergence of economic awareness during childhood: a new developmental economic psychology!In the past, attempts to study the emergence of children’s economic consciousness have failed to take account of the practical nature of the "economic" in the history of western cultures. Economic socialisation has been seen as the acquisition of abstract knowledge about the institutions of adult economic culture. The child has been seen as a spectator, acquiring knowledge of that culture, but never really a part of it.However, economic actions, in essence, are directed not towards the attainment of knowledge, but rather towards the practical solution of problems of resource allocation imposed by constraint. Children, just like adults, are faced with practical problems of resource allocation. Their response to these problems may be different from those of adults but no less "economic" for that. This realisation forms the heart of this book. In it children are seen as both inhabitants of their own "playground" economic subculture and actors in the wider economic world of adults, solving, or attempting to solve, practical economic problems.In order to highlight this "child-centred" approach, the authors studied the way children tackle the particular problems posed by limitations of income. How do children learn (a) the relationship between choices available in the present and the future, (b) to spread their limited financial resources over time into the future and (c) about the strategies, such as banking, that allow them to protect those resources from threats and temptations? In short, how do children learn to save?This volume goes some way to answering these and related questions and in so doing sets up an alternative framework for the study of the emergence of economic awareness.

Originally published in 1993, this book presents an alternative approach to the study of the emergence of economic awareness during childhood: a new developmental economic psychology!In the past, attempts to study the emergence of children’s economic consciousness have failed to take account of the practical nature of the "economic" in the history of western cultures. Economic socialisation has been seen as the acquisition of abstract knowledge about the institutions of adult economic culture. The child has been seen as a spectator, acquiring knowledge of that culture, but never really a part of it.However, economic actions, in essence, are directed not towards the attainment of knowledge, but rather towards the practical solution of problems of resource allocation imposed by constraint. Children, just like adults, are faced with practical problems of resource allocation. Their response to these problems may be different from those of adults but no less "economic" for that. This realisation forms the heart of this book. In it children are seen as both inhabitants of their own "playground" economic subculture and actors in the wider economic world of adults, solving, or attempting to solve, practical economic problems.In order to highlight this "child-centred" approach, the authors studied the way children tackle the particular problems posed by limitations of income. How do children learn (a) the relationship between choices available in the present and the future, (b) to spread their limited financial resources over time into the future and (c) about the strategies, such as banking, that allow them to protect those resources from threats and temptations? In short, how do children learn to save?This volume goes some way to answering these and related questions and in so doing sets up an alternative framework for the study of the emergence of economic awareness.

Originally published in 1991, this monograph presents pioneering work on the growth and development of triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets. Twelve years were spent researching the effects of multiple caregiving, low birthweight and intra-uterine conditions on the personality development of multiple birth children. Child development specialists, psychologists and clinical psychologists will find this work applies not only to multiple birth children, but also to those born with low birthweights or other high-risk complications.

Originally published in 1991, this monograph presents pioneering work on the growth and development of triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets. Twelve years were spent researching the effects of multiple caregiving, low birthweight and intra-uterine conditions on the personality development of multiple birth children. Child development specialists, psychologists and clinical psychologists will find this work applies not only to multiple birth children, but also to those born with low birthweights or other high-risk complications.

Originally published in 1984, a major purpose of this book was to bring together in a single volume, work that reflects the wide range of interests that social and behavioural scientists have in play, development and the environment. The intent of the book was to refine and extend concepts and methodologies within and beyond one’s usual area of study. The idea was that this formula and direction would yield novel information and fresh insights. The volume encompasses a wealth of topics concerning structural, functional, and pragmatic aspects of play during early childhood and childhood, and includes strong emphasis on methodological as well as substantive concerns. It was hoped that the chapters here would inspire a new generation of research extending knowledge both in theoretical and applied areas.

John and Elizabeth Newson’s long-term investigation of child up-bringing attracted intense interest from its earliest beginnings: ‘pathbreaking’ and ‘seminal’ were adjectives that greeted their first report. The study is now established as one of the major projects of the seventies.This third volume of the series catches some seven hundred Nottingham children at a critical stage of their development: in transition from infant to junior school, they are moving out of the protective family orbit and into the wider social world of street, playground and classroom, where cultural pressures make themselves felt in ever more demanding ways.Like the Newson’s earlier books, this study has a strong ecological flavour in the sense that what children do, what parents do, and how they feel about what they do, are all set firmly into the broader context of life as it is lived in contemporary urban society. This is no laboratory investigation. Yet a sensitive and subtle methodology has allowed the Newsons to present an impressive structure of hard factual data, while putting flesh on the statistical bones by constant reference to the mothers’ own thoughts and reactions, faithfully recorded in their own vivid words.The result is a rich descriptive picture of seven-year-olds and their family life: their play, friendships, quarrels; their duties and privileges; their fears, fantasies and jokes. Inevitably, much of the book explores the dynamics of conflict between mother and child, and takes a long hard look at the domestic power-game as it is expressed in both words and punishment. At the same time, the loving and caring side of the relationship is closely and delicately examined with a rare empathy for both parent and child. In short, this is a study in depth and in breadth of how parents and children bring each other up.Teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers, as well as parents welcomed the Newsons’ earlier reports. Once again, no professional worker in the field of childhood or parenthood can afford to be without the insights offered by this volume, which is also a rich source of enjoyment for any observer, professional or amateur, of the family in society today. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.

John and Elizabeth Newson’s long-term investigation of child up-bringing attracted intense interest from its earliest beginnings: ‘pathbreaking’ and ‘seminal’ were adjectives that greeted their first report. The study is now established as one of the major projects of the seventies.This third volume of the series catches some seven hundred Nottingham children at a critical stage of their development: in transition from infant to junior school, they are moving out of the protective family orbit and into the wider social world of street, playground and classroom, where cultural pressures make themselves felt in ever more demanding ways.Like the Newson’s earlier books, this study has a strong ecological flavour in the sense that what children do, what parents do, and how they feel about what they do, are all set firmly into the broader context of life as it is lived in contemporary urban society. This is no laboratory investigation. Yet a sensitive and subtle methodology has allowed the Newsons to present an impressive structure of hard factual data, while putting flesh on the statistical bones by constant reference to the mothers’ own thoughts and reactions, faithfully recorded in their own vivid words.The result is a rich descriptive picture of seven-year-olds and their family life: their play, friendships, quarrels; their duties and privileges; their fears, fantasies and jokes. Inevitably, much of the book explores the dynamics of conflict between mother and child, and takes a long hard look at the domestic power-game as it is expressed in both words and punishment. At the same time, the loving and caring side of the relationship is closely and delicately examined with a rare empathy for both parent and child. In short, this is a study in depth and in breadth of how parents and children bring each other up.Teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers, as well as parents welcomed the Newsons’ earlier reports. Once again, no professional worker in the field of childhood or parenthood can afford to be without the insights offered by this volume, which is also a rich source of enjoyment for any observer, professional or amateur, of the family in society today. Today it can be enjoyed in its historical context.