The question of what children need for optimal development is discussed. The "principle of optimum effects" is seen as fundamental: good for children is only good for them in the "right" of optimum proportions. Seven propositions about the needs of children are advanced: (1) The young child has to have a deep sense of safety; (2) every child has to have adequate--not excessive--self esteem; (3) every child has to feel or experience his/her life as worth living, reasonably satisfying, interesting and authentic; (4) young children need adults or older children who help them make sense of their own experiences; (5) young children have to have adults who accept the authority that is theirs by virtue of their greater experience, knowledge and wisdom; (6) young children need optimum association with adults and older children who exemplify the personal qualities we want them to acquire; (7) children need relationships or experiences with adults who are willing to take a stand on what is worth doing, having, knowing and caring about. (Author/MS)