This work uses case studies of ''potential risk'' children vulnerable to development problems in their home environment, and judges whether the method can be used to predict accurately infant development and risk. It isolates those factors which lead to either ''healthy'' or ''problematic'' development. The findings from the study concentrate on continuity and change in infant development, and how the model facilitated conceptualizations and comparisons of infant development. The text finishes with considered conclusions about risk in infancy and the scope for further research.