The manual, developed by psychologists at the Human Development Training Institute, describes techniques for understanding and dealing with the behavior and development of young children. The major objective of the book is to help elementary school teachers improve communication with their pupils. The manual offers conceptual tools for fostering healthy child development and for re-orienting children who exhibit signs of emotional disturbance. The manual is presented in two parts. Part I examines major concerns and procedures of the Human Development Program (HDP) and describes how these key elements interrelate. This section covers the child and his development, the Magic Circle arrangement in which students and teachers sit and talk, activities by grade level, the teacher's role, and rating scales. Part II considers the three main themes of the HDP curriculum: (1) awareness (knowing what one's thoughts, feelings, and actions really are); (2) mastery (knowing what one's abilities are and how to use them); and (3) social interaction (knowing other people). Background information from psychological literature is presented for each theme and methods are indicated for reinforcing positive behavior in situations such as lying, stealing, repression, withdrawal, and overcompensation. A summary section for each theme identifies grade-by-grade objectives and the specific aspects of the curriculum which promote those objectives. A bibliography is included. (Author/DB)