New research in brain development reveals the vital importance of the relationship between caregiver and child in the critical first years of life. This videotape explores the role of parents in stimulating early childhood development. The approximately 29-minute videotape discusses: (1) attachment and the role of touch in creating a bond between parent and infant; (2) communication, specifically the child's nonverbal cues and the importance of parents' speaking, singing, and reading aloud to the child's development and language acquisition; (3) health and nutrition, including child safety and the role of the pediatrician; (4) discipline, responding to the child so he or she learns that the world is safe and predictable, and how to regulate his or her own emotions; (5) self-esteem, noting that a strong sense of self is essential to healthy development, and that each child is unique and should be encouraged to explore the world and express his or her feelings; (6) child care, including indicators of quality to look for when selecting a day care program; and (7) self-awareness, noting that in order to take care of an infant, parents must also take care of themselves, make time and energy to devote to the child, ask for help when needed, and not put undue pressure on themselves to be perfect parents. (HTH)