An understanding of child development is an essential part of teaching. This new text supports trainee teachers and Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) to understand how children develop and how their development impacts on their learning. Importantly, the text is written specifically for teachers and focuses on what they need to know to be effective in the classroom. The text not only supports them to better understand children individually but also supports them to appreciate the needs of all children across the school Each chapter includes: - a focus on a theory of child development to support understanding. - case studies and critical questions to explore the learning and help the reader to develop critical thinking skills. - practical strategies for supporting children in the classroom which focus on how teachers can use an understanding of child development to enhance their practice.