Phantasy in Childhood

First published in 1952, Phantasy in Childhood is for a psycho-analytically oriented public. The authors have set out to express in non-technical language some of the theories we owe to the work of Melanie Klein, and to show how they are repeatedly borne out in the day-to-day behaviour of children. Numerous practical examples are given, drawn from experience of children under many different conditions. In some cases the authors merely suggest interpretations which seem likely, but would need psychoanalytic confirmation; in others the meaning is unmistakable from the material available; in all, the aim has been to point to the presence and nature of unconscious phantasy, and to its expression in behaviour. Although written in simple language, the book is not easy, as, to those who are unfamiliar with it, the concept of unconscious phantasy is in itself difficult. The attempt has been made, however, to give living pictures of the children, and, while definitely not advocating the wild application of a psycho-analytic technique, to show how some understanding of the importance of phantasy can be of value to those caring for children.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1952. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Dr Audrey Davidson (b.1916) was, at the time of publication, a psychoanalyst. She qualified as a psychiatric social worker in 1941 and spent four years working for the Hertfordshire County Council Psychiatric and Child Guidance Service before deciding to become a psychoanalyst. She took medical training, studying at the Royal Free Hospital in London and qualified as a doctor in 1951. Her work and training had in each case brought her into contact with children of all ages, and she had always been particularly interested in their emotional development.

Judith Fay (1915-2007) was, at the time of publication, a qualified Froebel teacher, lecturing in Child Care and working with individual psychotic children. She worked for three years as a journalist, publishing a novel and many stories for children and then became interested in teaching. She taught children of all ages both in the UK and the US. She went on to become a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and a qualified child analyst. During the 1950s and 1960s, she developed her psychoanalytical practice in London, and later in Oxford.