Psychosocial Development. The psychosocial development of a child will define the individual as growth progresses through adolescence to adulthood. Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14, which means that mental disorders are chronic diseases of the young.² The pediatrician should have knowledge of the psychosocial changes that occur from early childhood to middle childhood. It is important to be aware of social risk factors, such as poverty or domestic violence, and family risk factors, such as divorce and poor parenting, which can have a significant effect on psychosocial development. Mental health in early childhood is tightly bound to healthy development, healthy relationships within the family, and strong support for both child and family in the community.³ Knowledge of the norms in development, temperament, and sensory processing by the child and the influences of family and community enable the pediatrician to identify the well-adjusted child and the child with low self-esteem who is at risk for school problems and dysfunctional behavior. The middle childhood to early adolescent child is developing cognitively and seeking more independence. Problems from early childhood may manifest during this time. The pediatrician must have the knowledge to identify at-risk children and educate the child and caregiver about skills to develop for functioning in family and social environments.