"‘The Child Ego State’, he began, ‘is made up of the archaic relics of our childhood. It consists of all the emotions we experienced when we were little. You must remember that at birth, we start out with only the very basic emotions. In our early years, these gradually develop into more subtle and complex patterns of behaviour which become central to our very self and form part of us, defining our behaviour for the rest of our lives. The result is that now, in particular situations and circumstances which are different for each of us, we respond automatically from that basic position. Once again, we act and feel like the child we once were.’" (Robert de Board, Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure)

"Fun and Affection

Anger

Sadness

Fear

‘All of these emotions added together make up what is called the “Natural Child” and this forms a significant part of the total Child Ego State,’ said the Counsellor." (Robert de Board, Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure)

"‘It makes you realise just how vulnerable babies are,’ Toad said thoughtfully. ‘I never realised before just what power people have over their children. They have total dominion.

They can love them or reject them, cuddle them or abuse them. It’s just a lottery what sort of parents you get’" (Robert de Board, Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure)

"‘I suppose what is surprising’, answered Heron, ‘is to realise just how much of our adult behaviour was learnt in childhood. But when you think about it, it is fairly obvious. The strongest feelings we had as children inevitably become those we regularly experience as adults. Perhaps that was what the poet meant when he wrote “The child is father of the man”." (Robert de Board, Counselling for Toads: A Psychological Adventure)