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An Introduction to Child Development
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An Introduction to Child Development

Third Edition
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March 2016 | 456 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

An Introduction to Child Development, Third Edition provides undergraduate students in psychology and other disciplines with a comprehensive survey of the main areas of child development, from infancy through to adolescence, in a readily accessible format. It equips students with an appreciation of the critical issues, while providing balanced coverage of topics that represent both classic and cutting edge work in this vast and fascinating field.

The new edition has been fully updated and features:

  • Topical research examples from current literature in psychology, education, nursing and medicine including new material on fetal learning and the role of play
  • New and expanded sections covering key contemporary issues in cognitive, emotional and social development
  • New features such as 'Points for Reflection' boxes, designed to encourage the reader to reflect more deeply on the subject matter
  • Access to an enhanced SAGE Edge companion website which features online readings, Powerpoint Slides, ‘Test Yourself’ questions and much more (https://edge.sagepub.com/keenan3e).
This textbook is essential reading for undergraduate students taking an introductory course in child development or developmental psychology and provides a clear and accessible foundation for essays, assignments and other projects.

 
Introduction, Theories and Methods
 
The Principles of Developmental Psychology
 
Theories of Development
 
Introduction: What is a Theory?
 
Research Methodology in Developmental Psychology
 
The Biological Foundations of Development
 
The Biological Foundations of Development I: Physical Growth, Motor Development and Genetics
 
The Biological Foundations of Development II: The Developing Brain
 
The Development of Perception, Cognition and Language
 
Perception
 
Theories of Cognitive Development
 
Cognitive Processes
 
The Development of Language and Communication
 
Emotional, Social and Moral Development
 
Emotional Development
 
Social Development
 
Moral Development
 
Applied Human Development
 
Developmental Psychopathology

Supplements

Click for online resources
For students
  • Interactive quizzes  
  • Free access to scholarly journal articles        
  • Weblinks          
  • Flashcard glossary        
  • Author-selected videos
For instructors
  • Instructors Manual        
  • PowerPoint slides        
  • Testbanks 

This new and well-written edition will really help my students to understand developmental psychology.

Jesper Herup Dammeyer
University of Copenhagen

This book pulls the reader into on-going and always current debates in the area of developmental psychology, providing an extraordinary combination of pedagogical challenge and inviting didactics. It stands out from other textbooks with its relevant and contemporary viewpoints on human development across the life span, covering theories of child development, including biological viewpoints, as well as methodological issues in child development research. Additionally, the structure of the chapters beginning with specific and clear learning aims and ending with ‘test your knowledge’ questions make this a fantastic textbook for both students to engage in a very pleasurable learning experience, and for lecturers who can therefore rely on an invaluable resource to support their teaching.

Dr Susana Castro
Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton

This textbook is a very good choice for an introductory course in developmental psychology. The text is well structured, it reads well, and it covers the main topics in an updated, engaging and comprehensible manner without being too voluminous. 

Berit Overå Johannesen
Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

I would recommend it to staff and students on Education Studies courses who wish to get a deeper understanding of development beyond the brief mentions of Piaget and Vygotsky that they might find in many Education Studies textbooks. This book will offer greater depth on those topics and others but in a way that is accessible to a student without a psychology background. In summary, a really good book for anyone who is looking to introduce themselves or their students to the field of child development.

Cathal O’Siochru
British Education Studies Association Journal

Available in library - not on essential reading.

Miss Rose Hitchman
Health, Trowbridge College
November 4, 2019

This is an excellent text, covering the core issues of child development at a good level. In additition the reader will be encouraged to develop their ow; understanding at a deeper level.

Mr David Rawcliffe
Pre-Registration Nursing, University of West London
April 1, 2018

I thought this is a really excellent text for our students - who are clinical psychology students learning about child development to inform their clinical work with young people.

It strikes an excellent balance between being comprehensive and excessively detailed. The book is clearly written, and includes a good mix of theory and facts about development.

Dr William Mandy
Dept Clinical Health Psychology, University College London
December 14, 2016

This book is a good source, especially for novice professionals entering into the field of working with children. It addresses core issues in a manner which flows through the various developmental stages. It is great for undergraduate students.

Ms Cindy Melanie Swartbooi
Psychology , Cornerstone Institute
September 8, 2016

Very good and well rounded publication which fits with several of our BA (Hons) in Early Years modules making it a recommended choice for our students

Mr Neil Barnes
Department of Education, Colchester Institute
December 1, 2016

This text allows students to understand the importance of Child development and how variables can impact on their social, environmental and cognitive processes.

Miss Ella Malton
Department of Health & Social Studies, Grimsby Institute of HE And FE
April 4, 2017

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781446274026
£44.99

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ISBN: 9781446274019
£133.00