Understanding Children reflects on the development of children's minds - their abilities to understand language and to communicate; to explain events to the world; to read, write and draw; to deal with computers; to think perceive and to gain awareness. It is inspired by the work of Margaret Donaldson whose insights have changed our appreciation of the abilities of young children.

Robert Grieve studied psychology at the University of Edinburgh, where he is now Professor and Head of Department. Previously, he held posts at the University of St. Andrews and the University of Western Australia. He is editor, with Margaret Donaldson and Chris Pratt of Early Childhood Development and Education (Blackwell, 1983).

Martin Hughes studied philosophy and psychology at the University of Oxford, and obtained his PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He was Research Officer at the Thomas Coram Research Unit and Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, before he moved to his present post as Lecturer in Education at the University of Exeter. He has researched and written widely on the development and education of young children. His books include Children and Number (Blackwell, 1986).