Noting that millions of young American children are at-risk because they have been denied bonding and communication with a caring adult, this book serves as a call for national attention and provides a guide for developing the parenting skills needed by today's parents and child caregivers. The book contends that caregivers' qualifications must include a deep understanding of the child's psyche and the application of this knowledge to techniques of working with children. Chapter 1 uses the example of one at-risk toddler to examine the major reasons for the growing numbers of children at-risk because of the lack of a strong relationship with a caring adult, and why the economic reality for most American households will exacerbate the problem. Chapter 2 discusses criteria for a good early child care setting. Chapter 3 discusses the development of the mother-child attachment. Chapter 4 presents signs that a 6-month-old has missed the bonding process and suggests interventions, while chapter 5 suggests ways of restoring the confidence of troubled toddlers. Chapter 6 discusses ways to provide remedial mothering for at-risk 2- and 3-year-olds. Chapter 7 discusses the use of imaginative activities to replace negative expectations of at-risk preschoolers. Chapter 8 provides suggestions for building relationships between troubled 4-year-olds and other human beings. Chapter 9 describes special techniques for children with various impairments, such as autism, and vision or hearing impairments. Chapter 10 discusses a basic discipline philosophy, while chapter 11 focuses on the promise of early intervention for enhancing young children's lives. (Contains approximately 75 references.) (KB)