This book brings together a group of extraordinary educators and scholars who offer important insights about what we can do to defend childhood from societal challenges. The authors explain new findings from neuroscience and psychology, as well as emerging knowledge about the impact on child development of cultural and linguistic diversity,…

Within each chapter of this innovative topical text, the authors engage students by demonstrating the wide range of real-world applications of psychological research connected to child development. In particular, the distinctive Active Learning features incorporated throughout the book foster a dynamic and personal learning process for students.…

Adolescence is a time of significant physical, social, and emotional developments, accompanied by changes in cognitive and language skills. Underlying these are significant developments in brain structures and functions including changes in cortical and subcortical gray matter and white matter tracts. Among the brain regions that develop during…

Results of studies with undernourished guinea pig mothers and their offspring suggest that adequate postnatal nutrition can offset some, but not all of the brain biochemical changes resulting from fetal undernutrition. (Author/KW)

The manual describes procedures involved in administering and scoring a neurodevelopmental examination of children from birth to 2 years of age. The test is designed to be easily incorporated into routine health programs. The instrument is easily learned, quickly administered, objectively based, and capable of producing early evidence of…

The study investigated the possible correlations between brain growth stages and creative art work through the evaluation of 549 samples of children's art by children in grades K through 6. The absence of a valid instrument led to the development by the investigator of a criterion referenced rating scale for evaluation of the art work. The data…

Morphometric analysis of magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed that, compared to nondisabled controls, the seven children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a smaller corpus callosum. Results suggest that subtle differences may exist in the brains of these children and that deviations in normal corticogenesis may underlie the…

Recent studies on the biological development of the prefrontal cortex in rhesus monkeys are reviewed. These studies have elucidated the basic neural circuitry underlying the delayed-response function in adult nonhuman primates and suggest that a critical mass of cortical synapses is important for the emergence of this cognitive function. (BN)

Notes that scientists understand in greater detail the various anatomical and neurological changes that allow children to develop motor and sensory abilities. Explores how the research findings are calling into question the notion of prescribed developmental milestones. (HTH)

Discusses the connection between brain development and human educational needs based on neuroscience research. Considers brain development from conception, including cell structure, myelination, and regional development of the brain, stressing the importance of a child's early environment and the prenatal vulnerability of the brain. (JPB)

This discussion focuses on the problem in neurobiology in which neurons are able to make correct connections as the brain develops in utero. (Author/SA)

The author cites the existence of parallel brain and mind growth spurts (phrenoblysis) in the periods 2-4, 6-8, 10-12, and 14-16 years, and suggests that early intervention programs for retarded children should be based on periods of greatest brain growth. (CL)

A collection of articles on the lifelong process of motor development focuses on: (1) neural changes in lifespan motor development; (2) the effects of developmental memory differences on learning motor skills; (3) physical growth and motor performance; (4) motor development in children with learning disabilities; (5) a motor development program…

This book examines the body's role in learning, by reviewing recent scientific insights into the ways that movement initiates and supports mental processes. Part 1 focuses on the brain and physical development, emphasizing the growth of the body/mind capacities with which we learn. It explores three distinct but interconnected kinds of body/mind…