What Babies and Children Really Need

How mothers and fathers can nurture children's growth for health and well being

Sally Goddard Blythe

This book represents a milestone in our understanding of what we - parents, professionals and politicians - must do to ensure our children get the best start in life.

What Babies and Children Really Need examines the crucial early years from a child's perspective. It draws on the latest scientific research to show how the first few years determine the way children develop, body and mind, for the rest of their lives.

The keys to this development are parents, and in particular mothers. A society which really cares for its children, says Sally Goddard Blythe, makes it possible for parents and children to be together for at least the first two or three years of life.

What Babies and Children Really Need sets out the cornerstones which underpin the making of healthy, happy children, including:

• how good pre-conceptual and pre-natal care prepares the ground for healthy child development
• how events during birth can affect later educational achievement
• why mother, movement and music are the 3 M's of pre-school education
• the importance of 'rough and tumble' play for emotional and social development
• the special and essential roles of mothers and fathers

Sally Goddard Blythe is Director of the Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester which researches the effects of neurological dysfunction in specific learning difficulties and devises remedial programmes. Her other books include The Well Balanced Child.

368pp; 234 x 156mm;

978-1-903458-76-1;

pb; £16.99

'This comprehensive book provides parents with the information they need to raise healthy, balanced, resilient children. Above all it demonstrates that what babies and children really need is the time, love and attention of the adults in their lives.'
Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood

'An excellent book which I highly recommend. Sally Goddard Blythe's book reflects her knowledge, passion and dedication to this very important subject.'
Professor Ursula Anderson, international consultant in maternal and child health