Understanding child development is essential to ensuring a full and rounded psychological grounding, but given the complex nature of the topic it can be a real challenge.

Child Development: Concepts and Theories takes a step back to focus just on the key concepts of child development that all students must learn. With this book, their first encounters with theories and their applications will mean that they can move on with a firm foundation in child development. Central to this, is understanding how these theories or concepts are applied in the real world and how psychologists engage with them in research. This book gives clear and detailed examples to bring the subject to life. Each chapter features case studies that run throughout the chapter and develop as the students′ own understanding does.

Written for undergraduates, the book will become essential to any student wanting a key to unlock the world of child development.

Jean Mercer is Professor Emerita of Psychology at Stockton University, New Jersey, and writes a blog, "Childmyths".