Child Development: An Introduction

Child Development: An Introduction, 16th Edition is an introductory developmental psychology textbook designed to help students analyze foundational principles of child growth and behavior. Authors John Santrock, Kirby Deater-Deckard, and Jennifer Lansford arrange the subject matter around a topical organization structure rather than a chronological timeline, allowing readers to trace specific developmental domains across childhood.

The volume details biological beginnings, prenatal processes, physical health, and motor, sensory, and perceptual capabilities. It evaluates historical foundations of cognitive development theories alongside information processing mechanisms, intelligence, and language acquisition. Subsequent sections address emotional development, self-identity, gender, and moral development, alongside environmental contexts such as culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, technology, families, peers, and schools.

To assist learners throughout their study, the text incorporates a learning goals system designed as a clear roadmap toward course mastery. This topical text provides targeted guidance for students completing foundational coursework in developmental psychology.