From birth to primary school, understand and encourage your child's development.

When will my baby first smile?

How much of my twoyearold's speech should I be able to understand?

When will my child know how to 'play nicely'?

Or tie shoelaces? Or catch a ball?

Young children develop at a dizzying rate, constantly reaching new milestones. Of course, each child is different but many parents will want to know if their baby or toddler is developing as expected. Written by a practising GP, The First 5 Years provides clear guidelines for what to expect during each stage of this precious time in your child's life.

It shows how children learn through play and provides practical, imaginative tips on dealing with the challenges they can bring.

Discover how to:

Deal with the difficulties of tantrums, toilet training and fussy eating

Turn everyday situations, such as tidying up or going to the park, into fun, learning events

Use playdough to develop manual dexterity

Help your child on their first day at school or nursery

Practical and reassuring, The First 5 Years will be a constant companion as your child grows up.

Dr. Philippa Kaye is a mother of three who works as a GP in London. She is the author of four previous books on parenting as well as a regular contributor to various parenting magazines, websites and podcasts.