1- position the div (set position to anything other than static)

2- set the child elements position to absolute with display block, or inline-block.

3- either use translate (faster but can jitter) or top/left (slower) based on some value like offsetTop, scrollTop , boundingClientRect etc.

• Of course be careful about the element you chose to position, some elements are phrasing elements, some elements are obligate inline etc. If you care about the semantics.
• If you are going to dynamically change the position with some event, then do not forget to throttle the event.

1. CSS: position:relative; top:-40px;
2. CSS v2: margin-top:-40px;
3. CSS v3: transform: translateX(-40px);

Use these CSS properties on the DIV that needs to get shifted up.

Well, the worst way would be using <br> elements but isn't the best way. You should set an other div inside the div that you want to separate and give a specific height to the "child" div. That's the way I do it. Hope was useful and good luck!

padding-top on the div? Margin-top on the element if margin containment (overflow:hidden or float on parent) is working?

Since you don't seem to be asking about scripting Ibrahim Tanyalcin answer seems a bit irrelevant, though in general your question is incomplete and just begs more questions. What's the element you're trying to adjust, are you just talking normal style? What else is set on that DIV for CSS properties?