How Children Develop has established itself as the topically organized textbook teachers and researchers trust for the most up-to-date perspectives on child and adolescent development. The authors, each a well-known scientist and educator—have earned that trust by introducing core concepts and impactful discoveries with an unparalleled integration of theory, cultural research, and applications, all in a style that is authoritative yet immediately understandable and relevant to students.  

The new edition has been rigorously updated and welcomes co-author Elizabeth Gershoff (The University of Texas at Austin), who brings a breadth of research and teaching experience to the discussions of social and emotional development. It is also more interactive than ever before, with richer integration between the book and its interactive study features in LaunchPad.

New media option—Achieve Read & Practice, combining a complete eBook with LearningCurve adaptive quizzing. For more, see New to this Edition.

1. An Introduction To Child Development

2. Prenatal Development and The Newborn Period

3. Biology and Behavior

4. Theories of Cognitive Development

5. Seeing, Thinking, and Doing Infancy

6. Development of Language and Symbol Use

7. Conceptual Development

8. Intelligence and Academic Achievement

9. Theories of Social Development

10. Emotional Development

11. Attachment to Others and Development of Self

12. The Family

13. Peer Relationships

14. Moral Development

15. Gender Development

16. Conclusions