Child Development

An Active Learning Approach
Fifth Edition
Laura E. Levine - Central Connecticut State University, USA
Joyce Munsch - California State University, Northridge, USA
Child Development
September 2025 | 688 pages | Sage US
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Description

In the topically organized Child Development: An Active Learning Approach, authors Laura E. Levine and Joyce Munsch guide students through a lively exploration of child development. The text’s integrated active learning activities transform reading into an interactive learning experience that encourages them to test their knowledge, challenge common misconceptions, relate concepts to their own experiences, and engage in real-world activities both independently and with children. Students will not only gain a deeper understanding of child development but also acquire lasting skills that extend beyond the classroom. The latest Fifth Edition introduces new active learning activities, over 1,000 updated references, and new true/false questions that challenge common misconceptions and engage students in the science of development.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Part I: Understanding Development: Why and How We Study Children and Adolescents

  • Chapter 1: Issues and Themes in Child Development
  • Why Study Child Development?
  • Understanding How Development Happens
  • Contexts of Development
  • Be a Smart Consumer of Information About Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Theories of Development
  • Why Theories of Development Are Important
  • Psychoanalytic Theory
  • Learning Theories
  • Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Developmental Systems Theories
  • Developmental Theory in Cultural Context
  • Comparison of Developmental Theories
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: How We Study Development
  • The Scientific Method
  • How Research Is Designed
  • Interpreting and Communicating the Results of a Study
  • Ethics in Research With Children and Adolescents
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part II: Biological Beginnings and Physical Development

  • Chapter 4: Nature Through Nurture: Genes and Environment
  • The Study of Genetics and Behavior
  • Molecular Genetics: Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • The Interaction of Genes and Environment
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Prenatal Development, the Newborn, and the Transition to Parenthood
  • Prenatal Development
  • Health and Risks in Pregnancy
  • The Birth Experience
  • The Newborn
  • The Transition to Parenthood
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Physical Development: The Brain and the Body
  • Brain Development
  • Development of the Senses
  • Body Growth and Changes
  • Motor Development
  • Nutrition
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part III: Cognitive Development

  • Chapter 7: Cognitive Development: Theories
  • Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Theory of Core Knowledge
  • Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Information Processing
  • Comparing Four Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Cognitive Development: Applications
  • Defining and Measuring Intelligence
  • Variations in Intellectual Ability
  • Academic Achievement: Noncognitive Factors
  • Risk and Success in Academic Achievement
  • Academic Achievement: Learning in the School Context
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Language Development
  • Aspects of Language
  • Language and the Brain
  • Theories of Language Development
  • Stages of Language Development
  • Literacy: Reading and Writing
  • Bilingualism and Bilingual Education
  • Language Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part IV: Social and Emotional Development

  • Chapter 10: Emotional Development and Attachment
  • Emotions: Universality and Difference
  • Temperament
  • Emotion Regulation and Self-Control
  • Normal Emotions and Emotional Problems
  • The Development of Attachment
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: The Self and Identity Development
  • Development of Self-Concept
  • Development of Self-Esteem
  • Gender Identity
  • Ethnic and Racial Identity
  • Moral Identity
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Social Development: Social Cognition and Peer Relationships
  • Social Cognition: Theory of Mind
  • Peer Relationships in Infancy and Early Childhood
  • Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood
  • Adolescents: The World of Peers
  • Bullying, Cyberbullying, and School Violence
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part V: Contexts for Development

  • Chapter 13: Families
  • What Constitutes a Family?
  • Family Roles and Relationships
  • Socialization in Childhood and Adolescence
  • Interventions for a Better Family Life
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 14: Beyond the Family: Activities, Media, and the Natural World
  • Unstructured Time and the Natural World
  • Electronic Media Use
  • Structured Time
  • Relationships With Nonparental Adults
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 15: Health, Well-Being, and Resilience
  • Stress and Coping
  • Physical Illness and Mental Disorders
  • Other Threats to Health and Well-Being
  • Challenges to Positive Child Development
  • Resilience
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Author Index

Author Index

Subject Index

Subject Index

Additional materials

Description

In the topically organized Child Development: An Active Learning Approach, authors Laura E. Levine and Joyce Munsch guide students through a lively exploration of child development. The text’s integrated active learning activities transform reading into an interactive learning experience that encourages them to test their knowledge, challenge common misconceptions, relate concepts to their own experiences, and engage in real-world activities both independently and with children. Students will not only gain a deeper understanding of child development but also acquire lasting skills that extend beyond the classroom. The latest Fifth Edition introduces new active learning activities, over 1,000 updated references, and new true/false questions that challenge common misconceptions and engage students in the science of development.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Part I: Understanding Development: Why and How We Study Children and Adolescents

  • Chapter 1: Issues and Themes in Child Development
  • Why Study Child Development?
  • Understanding How Development Happens
  • Contexts of Development
  • Be a Smart Consumer of Information About Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Theories of Development
  • Why Theories of Development Are Important
  • Psychoanalytic Theory
  • Learning Theories
  • Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Developmental Systems Theories
  • Developmental Theory in Cultural Context
  • Comparison of Developmental Theories
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: How We Study Development
  • The Scientific Method
  • How Research Is Designed
  • Interpreting and Communicating the Results of a Study
  • Ethics in Research With Children and Adolescents
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part II: Biological Beginnings and Physical Development

  • Chapter 4: Nature Through Nurture: Genes and Environment
  • The Study of Genetics and Behavior
  • Molecular Genetics: Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • The Interaction of Genes and Environment
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Prenatal Development, the Newborn, and the Transition to Parenthood
  • Prenatal Development
  • Health and Risks in Pregnancy
  • The Birth Experience
  • The Newborn
  • The Transition to Parenthood
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Physical Development: The Brain and the Body
  • Brain Development
  • Development of the Senses
  • Body Growth and Changes
  • Motor Development
  • Nutrition
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part III: Cognitive Development

  • Chapter 7: Cognitive Development: Theories
  • Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Theory of Core Knowledge
  • Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Information Processing
  • Comparing Four Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Cognitive Development: Applications
  • Defining and Measuring Intelligence
  • Variations in Intellectual Ability
  • Academic Achievement: Noncognitive Factors
  • Risk and Success in Academic Achievement
  • Academic Achievement: Learning in the School Context
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Language Development
  • Aspects of Language
  • Language and the Brain
  • Theories of Language Development
  • Stages of Language Development
  • Literacy: Reading and Writing
  • Bilingualism and Bilingual Education
  • Language Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part IV: Social and Emotional Development

  • Chapter 10: Emotional Development and Attachment
  • Emotions: Universality and Difference
  • Temperament
  • Emotion Regulation and Self-Control
  • Normal Emotions and Emotional Problems
  • The Development of Attachment
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: The Self and Identity Development
  • Development of Self-Concept
  • Development of Self-Esteem
  • Gender Identity
  • Ethnic and Racial Identity
  • Moral Identity
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Social Development: Social Cognition and Peer Relationships
  • Social Cognition: Theory of Mind
  • Peer Relationships in Infancy and Early Childhood
  • Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood
  • Adolescents: The World of Peers
  • Bullying, Cyberbullying, and School Violence
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Part V: Contexts for Development

  • Chapter 13: Families
  • What Constitutes a Family?
  • Family Roles and Relationships
  • Socialization in Childhood and Adolescence
  • Interventions for a Better Family Life
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 14: Beyond the Family: Activities, Media, and the Natural World
  • Unstructured Time and the Natural World
  • Electronic Media Use
  • Structured Time
  • Relationships With Nonparental Adults
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 15: Health, Well-Being, and Resilience
  • Stress and Coping
  • Physical Illness and Mental Disorders
  • Other Threats to Health and Well-Being
  • Challenges to Positive Child Development
  • Resilience
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Author Index

Author Index

Subject Index

Subject Index

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

Child Development

An Active Learning Approach


September 2025 | 688 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

In the topically organized Child Development: An Active Learning Approach, authors Laura E. Levine and Joyce Munsch guide students through a lively exploration of child development. The text’s integrated active learning activities transform reading into an interactive learning experience that encourages them to test their knowledge, challenge common misconceptions, relate concepts to their own experiences, and engage in real-world activities both independently and with children. Students will not only gain a deeper understanding of child development but also acquire lasting skills that extend beyond the classroom. The latest Fifth Edition introduces new active learning activities, over 1,000 updated references, and new true/false questions that challenge common misconceptions and engage students in the science of development.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.

Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Part I: Understanding Development: Why and How We Study Children and Adolescents
  • Chapter 1: Issues and Themes in Child Development
  • Why Study Child Development?
  • Understanding How Development Happens
  • Contexts of Development
  • Be a Smart Consumer of Information About Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 2: Theories of Development
  • Why Theories of Development Are Important
  • Psychoanalytic Theory
  • Learning Theories
  • Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Developmental Systems Theories
  • Developmental Theory in Cultural Context
  • Comparison of Developmental Theories
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 3: How We Study Development
  • The Scientific Method
  • How Research Is Designed
  • Interpreting and Communicating the Results of a Study
  • Ethics in Research With Children and Adolescents
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Part II: Biological Beginnings and Physical Development
  • Chapter 4: Nature Through Nurture: Genes and Environment
  • The Study of Genetics and Behavior
  • Molecular Genetics: Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • The Interaction of Genes and Environment
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 5: Prenatal Development, the Newborn, and the Transition to Parenthood
  • Prenatal Development
  • Health and Risks in Pregnancy
  • The Birth Experience
  • The Newborn
  • The Transition to Parenthood
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 6: Physical Development: The Brain and the Body
  • Brain Development
  • Development of the Senses
  • Body Growth and Changes
  • Motor Development
  • Nutrition
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Part III: Cognitive Development
  • Chapter 7: Cognitive Development: Theories
  • Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Theory of Core Knowledge
  • Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Cognitive Development
  • Information Processing
  • Comparing Four Theories of Cognitive Development
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 8: Cognitive Development: Applications
  • Defining and Measuring Intelligence
  • Variations in Intellectual Ability
  • Academic Achievement: Noncognitive Factors
  • Risk and Success in Academic Achievement
  • Academic Achievement: Learning in the School Context
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 9: Language Development
  • Aspects of Language
  • Language and the Brain
  • Theories of Language Development
  • Stages of Language Development
  • Literacy: Reading and Writing
  • Bilingualism and Bilingual Education
  • Language Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Part IV: Social and Emotional Development
  • Chapter 10: Emotional Development and Attachment
  • Emotions: Universality and Difference
  • Temperament
  • Emotion Regulation and Self-Control
  • Normal Emotions and Emotional Problems
  • The Development of Attachment
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 11: The Self and Identity Development
  • Development of Self-Concept
  • Development of Self-Esteem
  • Gender Identity
  • Ethnic and Racial Identity
  • Moral Identity
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 12: Social Development: Social Cognition and Peer Relationships
  • Social Cognition: Theory of Mind
  • Peer Relationships in Infancy and Early Childhood
  • Peer Relationships in Middle Childhood
  • Adolescents: The World of Peers
  • Bullying, Cyberbullying, and School Violence
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Part V: Contexts for Development
  • Chapter 13: Families
  • What Constitutes a Family?
  • Family Roles and Relationships
  • Socialization in Childhood and Adolescence
  • Interventions for a Better Family Life
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 14: Beyond the Family: Activities, Media, and the Natural World
  • Unstructured Time and the Natural World
  • Electronic Media Use
  • Structured Time
  • Relationships With Nonparental Adults
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Chapter 15: Health, Well-Being, and Resilience
  • Stress and Coping
  • Physical Illness and Mental Disorders
  • Other Threats to Health and Well-Being
  • Challenges to Positive Child Development
  • Resilience
  • Conclusion
  • Chapter Summary
  • Key Terms
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Author Index
  • Subject Index

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