Health professionals are sometimes asked to give talks to groups of parents, especially mothers, in the community in which they work. They may be requested, for example, to give a talk on the needs of children and how they can best be met.

Parents who come to these talks will often have their own very definite ideas about the upbringing of children, so health professionals may find that it makes for a good introduction to ask mothers first to describe, for example, what are the most important things for parents to do when bringing up their children, what are the mistakes most often made and how best these can be avoided. There are great differences between societies in the way children are brought up. If a health professional encourages parents to express their own views first, she will be in a better position later on in the session to relate her own views to those of her audience. All the same, children's needs are similar throughout the world. What follows is information about these needs.

Basic physical care

Children first need enough nutritious food and drink to enable them to grow. They need to be kept warm in cold climates and protected from the sun in hot climates.

Secure sense of attachment

Attachment is a bond of affection between the infant and the main caregiver(s). The bond is reciprocal between the child and the caregiver. It has arisen to meet the child's need for safety, security and protection. It is a process in which both caregiver (usually the mother) and babies play an active part. Attachment, occurring similarly in all societies in both highincome and LAMI countries, unfolds in the following way.

1. • Although it is not easy to observe, babies can in fact tell the difference between their own mother and other people from the first few days of life.

2. • At the same time, the main caregiver develops a strong sense of affection or love for the baby.

3. • By 6 months of age, the infant is smiling in response to familiar faces. At this point the baby develops a more active and easily observed interest in special people. It is at this stage of development that the baby is distressed if separated from its main caregiver.