Despite the wide array of theoretical frameworks and research in the discipline of child development, there is a dearth of guidance to implement that knowledge in real world settings. This book nicely bridges the gap between theory and practice and successfully presents the integration of psychology, sociology, and public health of early childhood development in the much needed cross cultural context of the developing countries. The book takes this interdisciplinaryapproach a step further, and provides a detailed account to conceptualise and implement community based programmes to achieve optimal early childhood development. The text is developed on the belief that organised effort to ensure a better future for our children requires a basic understanding ofprinciples of their growth and development, and skills to scientifically observe them.