The Yale Clinic of Child Development has supplied the background for this authoritative contribution to the subject with definite value to the lay mother as a factual inventory and as a liberal perspective on formative years. Natural growth characteristics of infant and child traced and brought into harmony with culture. Twelve age periods from birth to elementary school are taken, with typical traits and growth trends, charts on expected behavior in feeding, elimination, sleep, sociability, cultural activities, etc. Important as a gauge to normal growth processes.