Author Description

Product DescriptionAs a best-selling, chronologically organized child development text, Berk Infants, Children, and Adolescents is relied upon in classrooms worldwide for its clear, engaging writing style and its commitment to examining the latest theory and research. Berk takes an integrated approach to presenting development in the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social domains; emphasizes the complex interchange between biology and environment; and provides exceptional attention to culture. The most recent scholarship in the field is presented in a manageable and relevant way. Students are drawn in by Berks signature storytelling style and learn beside the texts "characters" who experience real issues in development, including physical, cognitive, and peer challenges, as well as parenting and educational concerns. Students will recognize many topics of profound significance in todays world, such as poverty, welfare reform, health care, child-care quality, physical punishment, the obesity epidemic, and bilingual education, and learn what researchers have found about their impact on children. In the Fifth Edition, Infants, Children, and Adolescents has an even stronger emphasis on the interplay between biology and environment. Several reviewers of the fifth edition judge the coverage of brain and motor development to be the best in any child development text on the market today. Many aspects of the childs environment are considered, including home, extended family, school, neighborhood, community, social policy, and cultural influences. With unparalleled cross-cultural references, Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Fifth Edition is an indispensable resource for anyone caring for children in an increasingly global community. Throughout the Fifth Edition, Berk creates even stronger connections between developmental domains, and takes more opportunities to ask students to "Connect" topics to those in previous chapters. Berk also helps students connect their learning to their personal or professional areas of interest. Her voice comes through when speaking directly to students about issues they will face in their future pursuits as parents, educators, social workers, health care providers, and others who work to secure the welfare of children. This book is also available in an abridged paperbound version, Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood, comprised of Chapters 1-13.Review"As always, Berk provides a comprehensive discussion of developmental issues. What I appreciate is that the text provides good coverage of areas that are often neglected by other texts (especially applied developmental issues)." — Debbie Laible, Southern Methodist University"Making theories useful and fun to discuss is a chore, but Berk continues to make these user-friendly and applicable to the real world." — F. Richard Ferraro, University of North Dakota"The writing in this edition is very clear, interesting and engaging. The level is perfect for my students. The explanations are appropriate, relevant, and clear. The examples are interesting and understandable. There are plenty of illustrations, photographs and review suggestions that guide the students toward success." — Sara Lawrence, California State University, Northridge"We have used this text in our department for this course for several years now, just because it works. The students appear to like it, and they find it challenging and useful." — Colin T. William, Columbus State Community College"I feel that one of the best compliments a student can give a text is to say 'I am not going to resell this book at the end of the semester — I am going to keep it as a reference book.' I hear this comment frequently from my students who use the Berk text." "The clarity and level of writing, the timeliness of the material, and the organization of the material make the text student-friendly." — Martin Marino, Atlantic Cape Community College"The writing level of this text is