ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how the capacity for seeing in emotionally charged situations can be increased by practice and theory. The theory serves as a helpful partner for the observer. The chapter describes the author's experience of setting up and running a young child observation seminar on a post-qualifying course for childcare social workers. Many of the social workers had very little teaching on their original training about physical and emotional aspects of young child development. Close contact with small children made certain aspects of the course more relevant. Freud's theory of child sexuality was accepted more readily when students saw children engaged in masturbation and sexual play. Students were able to observe the interaction between the child's internal world, and the external world of the nursery or other environment. Some children may have a more resilient internal world than others.
