Child development is the period of physical, cognitive, and social growth that begins at birth and continues through early adulthood. Sufficiently large numbers of young children with complicated, serious physical health, mental health, or developmental problems are entering foster care during the early years when brain growth is most active. Every effort should be made to make foster care a positive experience and a healing process for the child. Threats to a child’s development from abuse and neglect should be understood by all participants in the child welfare system. Each child may cope differently with the same problem, developing an acceptable technique to cope, when and if possible. They are different from other individuals in their learning. Some children may have difficulty in mathematics because they have a particular memory problem. Others, though smart, may have trouble in reading. This valuable book will be an essential guide to child psychology and early childhood care students and practitioners.