'Understanding child psychology' is for students of child development and particularly those following courses leading to vocational qualifications in childcare and education.

An Introduction to Developmental Psychology, 3rd Edition is a representative and authoritative 'state of the art' account of human development from conception to adolescence. The text is organised chronologically and also thematically and written by renowned experts in the field, and presents a truly international account of theories, findings and issues. The content is designed with a broad range of readers in mind, and in particular those with little previous exposure to developmental psychology.

Explorative, responsive and research-led, this ground-breaking textbook offers students invaluable insights into the passage of human development from birth to adulthood. Understanding Developmental Psychology engages students from the outset with its conversational style, taking them on a fascinating journey through their own physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. With a focus on developing critical thinking skills, the book encourages students to engage with cutting-edge research in areas such as replication, gender fluidity, the ageing global population, the implications of social media and recent breakthroughs in neurodevelopment. This textbook not only covers the foundations of developmental psychology but also offers a, fresh perspective on the latest developments in the field. This comprehensive introduction is ideal for both undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses in developmental psychology. Critical and accessible, the book connects students to the field of developmental psychology in an accessible and culturally inclusive way.

`This is a beautifully written account of the most important ways in which developmental psychologists go about their business, illustrated with carefully chosen articles which are carefully described in order to make the designs, methodologies, analysis and interpretation of the results readily accessible to a non-expert readership. This will become the preferred textbook for those who want an up-to-date, interesting and accessible introduction to developmental psychology research′ - Alan Slater, University of Exeter A wide range of techniques is used to investigate children′s development. This book, which is aimed at advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students in psychology and related areas, provides a guide to key theories and methods used by researchers. Carefully chosen articles are accompanied by a commentary from the author that, among other things, helps students to understand the rationale for a study, the choice of design and assessment measures, use of statistics and the interpretation of results. A wide range of recent research papers is included to cover observational and experimental methods from infancy to adolescence. The research papers are introduced by two chapters that consider the relationship between theory and methods, explaining how models of development differ from one another and how they can be tested through experimental studies.

Understanding Child Development introduces the main areas of developmental psychology in childhood. Drawing on content which first appeared in ‘Understanding Child Development’, published in 1986, the book includes new bases of evidence and offers an interdisciplinary approach to the subject. Following a thematic approach, this book draws together strands of knowledge from psychology, neuroscience, and medical, social and cognitive sciences. It covers both classic and contemporary theories and research, while also examining child development in real-world settings. Chapters explore conceptual issues, key developmental theories, and research methodology, while developing practical ways of making children’s lives better. These discussions are presented in a refreshing tone giving the reader an insight into the broad area of developmental psychology and its applications. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Understanding Child Development is essential reading for students on introductory courses in developmental psychology. It also offers valuable reading for those on related courses in education, health and social work.

Developmental psychology is concerned with the scientific understanding of age-related changes in experience and behaviour, not only in children but throughout the lifespan. The task is to discover, describe, and explain how development occurs, from its earliest origins, into childhood, adulthood, and old age. To understand human development requires one not only to make contact with human nature but also to consider the diverse effects of culture on the developing child. Development is as much a process of acquiring culture as it is of biological growth. This book reviews the history of developmental psychology with respect to both its nature and the effects of transmission of culture. The major theorists of the late 19th and early 20th century, Piaget, Vygotsky and Bowlby are introduced to provide a background to contemporary research and the modern synthesis of nature and nurture. This brief textbook is suitable as an introduction to developmental psychology, both at A level and for beginning undergraduate students. It aims to be of interest to psychologists, educationalists, social workers and others with an interest in a contemporary understanding of factors involved in human development.

K. Warner Schaie I am pleased to write a foreword for this interesting volume, particularly as over many years, I have had the privilege of interacting with the editors and a majority of the con tributors in various professional roles as a colleague, mentor, or research collaborator. The editors begin their introduction by asking why one would want to read yet another book on human development. They immediately answer their question by pointing out that many developmentally oriented texts and other treatises neglect the theoretical foundations of human development and fail to embed psychological constructs within the multidisciplinary context so essential to understanding development. This volume provides a positive remedy to past deficiencies in volumes on hu man development with a well-organized structure that leads the reader from a general introduction through the basic processes to methodological issues and the relation of developmental constructs to social context and biological infrastructure. This approach does not surprise. After all, the editors and most of the contributors at one time or an other had a connection to the Max Planck Institute of Human Development in Berlin, whether as students, junior scientists, or senior visitors. That institute, under the leader ship of Paul Baltes, has been instrumental in pursuing a systematic lifespan approach to the study of cognition and personality. Over the past two decades, it has influenced the careers of a generation of scientists who have advocated long-term studies of human development in an interdisciplinary context.