Includes glossary

Includes bibliographical references (p. R-1 - R-81) and indexes.

Introduction to child development -- Prenatal development and the newborn period -- Biology and behavior -- Theories of cognitive development -- Seeing, thinking, and doing in infancy -- Development of language and symbol use -- Conceptual development -- Intelligence and academic achievement -- Theories of social development -- Emotional development -- Attachment to others and development of self -- Family -- Peer relationships -- Moral development -- Gender development -- Conclusions.

In its first edition, this highly anticipated textbook for the topically-organized child development course provided a fresh, non-encyclopedic approach, offering the latest, straight-from-the-research understanding of child development without overwhelming the student with inessential detail. The new edition brings those hallmark features forward, again providing a thoroughly contemporary, streamlined introduction to the study of child development that emphasizes fundamental principles, enduring themes, and important recent studies. Student-friendly pedagogy, a new chapter on gender, and an enhanced media and supplements package further enrich this accessible, engaging, and informative text. -- from publisher description.