ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is a practical guide for all those who live or work with young children. Children's needs, responses, reactions, feelings and attitudes change frequently as they grow from babies to toddlers and then to children. Babies communicate quite effectively through crying and, as they grow, children use a variety of non-verbal methods, including sounds, gestures and pointing, to make their wishes clear. Sometimes children behave or react in unexpected ways or are unable to describe what they need. Knowing how to speak to children and when to speak on their behalf brings confidence and satisfaction to the relationships that adults form with them. The book details the situations in which children need or want to communicate with adults and with each other, from the time of birth to the age of four years.
