Book excerpt: PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN provides guidance to teachers, child care and education administrators, health care providers, social service workers, and all who work with young children on how to recognize and understand child abuse and neglect. In addition to history and theory, Hirschy and Wilkinson offer a research-based, practical resource for the best practices in understanding and working with maltreated children. The text enables readers not only to identify abuse and neglect, but also to develop an understanding of the many facets of child maltreatment, find practical ideas to help children and their families, and ultimately reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect. PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN features practical ideas on working with families and children; websites and resources to help those who work with and teach young children; information to better inform their practice; and useful tools such as checklist, and forms. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.