Author Description

From before birth through early childhood, there is much emphasis on the biological influences which govern a child's development. The formative years are marked by a focus on health, nutrition, and milestones. But by the time children are making the transition from childhood to adolescence, the concern of most caregivers shifts primarily to the child's environment. Who does s/he socialize with? How does s/he perform in school? Laura Berk, renowned professor, researcher and authority in the field of child development, has updated this best-selling child development book with a heightened emphasis on these combined influences of biology and environment in child development. In her signature storytelling style, Berk presents for each section a "cast of characters" based on real children and families, artfully using these characters and their "stories" to illustrate the sequence and processes of child development. In addition to its engaging style, this book provides numerous vignettes to engage readers and foster real-life connections. Milestone tables summarize major physical, cognitive, language, and emotional and social developments for each age span. Treatment of social, cultural, and biological issues -- such as poverty, ethics in research, public policy, and the interplay of biology and environment -- and their impact on child development has been expanded, along with issues of family diversity, such as adoptive families, single-parent families, blended families, and parental employment. Psychologists, child care workers, educators, and parents.