A comprehensive yet uncomplicated guide to the theory and practice of Child Development (0-6 years) within an Irish context, with specific focus on child observation.Examines child development under 5 key areas: *Overview of Child Development - Explores key issues, concepts and debates in child development such as nature v nurture, continuity v discontinuity, early v later experience, normative development *Physical Development - Describes the physical development of the child from pre-natal to 6 years, listing the various milestones throughout *Cognitive & Language Development - Introduces the theories and stages of both cognitive and language development for the years 0-6, with particular focus on how to promote development in these areas *Social & Emotional Development - Explains the theories and stages of emotional and social development in children from 0-6 years, with emphasis on self-image, self-esteem and child behaviour *Primary research in Child Development - Details observation as a research tool, highlighting its purposes, methods and constraints - Provides detailed instructions on how to approach, research and present single observations; addressing the five areas of development with children of various ages WRITTEN FOR: Child Development FETAC level 5