Synopsis The book places developmental psychology in its historical context, tracing the emergence of the field as an independent discipline at the end of the 19 century, and following the radical changes that have occurred in our understanding of children's development since then. The development of the child is covered in sequence: through conception, pre-natal development, birth, infancy, and the pre-school years, to the achievements of the school years, and the changes that occur during adolescence. Each period is addressed in terms of cognitive, social and linguistic development, including discussion of reading, spelling and mathematical development. There is also consideration of comparative research concerning the development of cognitive abilities in other primates.

'An Introduction to Developmental Psychology' is essential reading for all students of developmental psychology. It will also be of interest to those in education and health care studying child development.