Understanding Children and Adolescents

All chapters close with 'Chapter Summary,' Key Points,' Key Terms,' and 'Suggestions for Further Reading.' I.RESEARCH, THEORY, AND BIOLOGY. 1.Theories of Child Development. Maturational Theory. Psychoanalytic Theory. Learning Theory. Cognitive-Developmental Theory: Jean Piaget. Sociocultural Theory: Lev Vygotsky. The Developmental Systems or Contextual Approach. Theory, Research, and Values: Why Contradictions Exist. 2.Methods of Studying Children. Thinking Like a Researcher: A Kindergarten Literacy Program. Interpreting a Research Report: The Major Research Questions. The Major Research Methods. The Major Research Designs: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal. Selecting a Suitable Research Method. Tying Things Together. 3.Genetics, Prenatal Development and Birth. Genetics, Biological Inheritance. Genetics and the Environment. Prenatal Development: Life in the Womb. Birth: Transition to Life in the Outer World. Problems of Early Development: When Things Go Wrong. Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling. II.INFANTS AND TODDLERS. 4.The Neonate. Physical Characteristics. Motor Capabilities. Behavioral States. Sensory Abilities. Learning. The Premature Baby. Assessing the Newborn. 5.Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers. How Do They Grow? Development of Motor Abilities. 6.Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers. Infant Visual Perception. Sensorimotor Intelligence: Piagets Studies of Infants and Toddlers. Cognitive Development and Play. 7.The Development of Language and Communication in Infants and Toddlers. Communication and Language Development during the Infants First Year. Language Development during the Infants Second Year. Language Use: The Social Context of Language Learning. Theories of Language Development. 8.Social and Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers. Attachment. The Emergence of Prosocial Behavior. Baby to Baby: Peer Interaction among Infants and Toddlers. Sex-Role Stereotyping in Infancy. III.PRESCHOOL CHILDREN. 9.Physical Development in Preschool Children. Appearance and Growth. Motor Development. 10.Cognitive Development in Preschool Children. Piagets Research on Preschool Childrens Thinking. Cognitive Development in Preschool Children: Beyond Piaget. 11.Development of Language and Communication in Preschool Children. Oral Language Development. Written Language Development. 12.Social and Emotional Development in Preschool Children. An Overview of Socialization and Early Moral Development. Socialization in the Family during Childhood. Socialization Processes. Aggression: How It is Learned, How It is Controlled. Prosocial Behavior. Learning Self-Control. IV.SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. 13.Physical Development in School-Age Children. How Do They Grow? 14.Cognitive Development in School-Age Children. From Preoperational to Concrete Operational Thinking. Metacognition. Information-Processing and Cognitive Development. Social Interaction and Cognitive Development. Defining and Assessing Intelligence. Achievement Tests. Academic Motivation and Success in School. 15.The Development of Language and Communication in the School-Age Child. Oral Language. Written Language (Literacy) Development. 16.Social and Emotional Development in School-Age Children. Social Cognition (Social Role-Taking Ability). Moral Reasoning. Social Skills and Sociometric Status. Gender Differences and Gender-Role Development. V.ADOLESCENTS. 17.Physical Development in Adolescence. Physical Growth. Sexual Maturation and Behavior. Sexual Attitudes and Behavior. Motor Development and Skills. 18.Cognitive Development in Adolescents. Formal Operational Thinking. An Information-Processing View of Adolescent Thinking. Other Dimensions of Adolescent Thinking. 19.Language Development in Adolescents. Cognitive Underpinnings of the Adolescents Language Advances. Oral Language Development. Learning a Second Language During Adolescence. Written Language Development. 20.Social and Emotional Development in Adolescents. Relationships with Family: The Quest for Independence. Relationships with Peers: The Quest to Belong. Knowing the Self: The Quest for Identity. Sexual Behavior: The Quest for Intimacy. Problems in Adolescents. Positive Aspects of Adolescent Behavior. References. Author Index. Subject Index. Credits.