Books on child development frequently present theory and research without reference to practice, while practice-oriented texts often deal with development superficially. This much-needed resource fills a crucial gap, focusing on how practitioners can apply the latest developmental knowledge to assessment and intervention with children and families. The book begins with a theoretical framework for understanding the transactions between individual development and the child's wider environments, examining the crucial roles of attachment and parenting and the ecology of risk and protective factors. Chapters then detail normal behavior and salient developmental tasks for infancy, toddlerhood, the preschool period, and middle childhood. Numerous case vignettes and observational examples bring the research to life and highlight special considerations for working with children with difficulties.