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Children in Context
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Children in Context
A Topical Approach



January 2025 | 672 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
In the topically organized Children in Context, award-winning author Tara L. Kuther emphasizes three core themes of child development: the importance of context, the relevance of research, and the applied value of developmental science. Examining child development by using real-life contexts, including gender, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, the text engages students with current data, relatable examples, and cross-cultural stories. Students will come away with an understanding of these themes that they can immediately apply to their own lives and future careers.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About The Author
 
Chapter 1: Introduction to Child Development: Themes, Theories, and Research
Understanding Development

 
Core Concepts In Developmental Science

 
Theories Of Child Development

 
Research In Child Development

 
Applied Developmental Science, Ethics, And Intersectionality

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
Careers In Child Development: Foundations Of Development

 
 
Chapter 2: Biological and Environmental Foundations of development
Genetic Foundations Of Development

 
Chromosomal And Genetic Abnormalities

 
Reproductive Technology And Genetic Disorders

 
Heredity And Environment Interactions

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 3: The Prenatal Period, Birth, And The Newborn
Prenatal Development

 
Environmental Influences On Prenatal Development

 
The Prenatal Environment And Prenatal Care

 
Childbirth

 
The Newborn

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 4: Brain, Perception, And Motor Development
Processes of Brain Development

 
Brain Development

 
Motor Development

 
Motor Development as a Dynamic System

 
Sensory and Perceptual Development

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 5: Physical Development and Health
Body Growth in Infancy and Childhood

 
Body Growth and Maturation in Adolescence

 
Threats to Infants and Children’s Health

 
Threats to Adolescent Health

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 6: Cognitive Change: Cognitive-Developmental and Sociocultural Approaches
Piaget’s Theory: Sensorimotor Reasoning In Infancy

 
Preoperational Reasoning In Early Childhood

 
Concrete Operational Reasoning In Middle Childhood

 
Formal Operational Reasoning In Adolescence

 
Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 7: Information Processing Theory
Information Processing Theory

 
Attention

 
Working Memory And Executive Function

 
Long-Term Memory

 
Thinking

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 8: Intelligence
Approaches To Understanding Intelligence

 
Measuring Intelligence

 
Contextual Influences On Intelligence

 
Neurodevelopmental Conditions

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 9: Language Development
Foundations Of Language

 
Language Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood

 
Language Development In Childhood And Adolescence

 
Explanations for Language Development

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Careers in Child Development: Cognitive Development

 
Early Childhood Educator

 
Elementary Education

 
Secondary Education: Middle School Teacher and High School Teacher

 
Special Education

 
ESL Teacher

 
Neuropsychological Technician

 
Speech-Language Pathologist

 
Developmental Psychologist

 
 
Chapter 10: Emotional Development
Emotional Experience

 
Emotional Regulation

 
Temperament

 
Attachment

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 11: Self, Identity, And Personality
Self-Concept

 
Self-Esteem

 
Identity

 
Ethnic-Racial Identity

 
Achievement Motivation

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 12: Moral Development
Moral Reasoning

 
Prosocial Behavior

 
Aggression and Antisocial Behavior

 
Religion And Spirituality

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 13: Gender
Sex Differences and Gender Stereotypes

 
Gender Typing

 
Gender Identity in Childhood and Adolescence

 
Transgender Identity

 
Sexual Activity in Adolescence

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
Careers in Child Development: Socioemotional Development

 
Social Worker

 
Substance Abuse Counselor

 
Child Life Specialist

 
Applied Behavior Analyst

 
Clinical Psychologist and Counseling Psychologist

 
Intervention Research

 
 
Chapter 14: Families
The Family as a System

 
Parenting

 
Family Constellations

 
Challenges For Families

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
 
Chapter 15: Contexts of Development
Children’s Play

 
Peer Relationships

 
School

 
Media

 
Risk And Resilience

 
Apply Your Knowledge

 
Chapter Summary

 
Key Words

 
Careers in Child Development: Contexts of Development

 
Preschool and Child Care Center Director

 
Recreation Worker

 
School Counselor

 
School Psychologist

 
Marriage and Family Therapists

 
User Design and Usability

 
Toy and Media Research

 

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site
The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. 
 
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Key features

KEY FEATURES:

  • This text is available as a digital option through SAGE Vantage, an intuitive digital platform that offers auto-graded assignments and interactive multimedia tools—including video—all designed to enable students to better prepare for class. Learn more.
  •  Critical Thinking Questions: Thinking in Context critical thinking questions appear at the end of each main section within the chapter. The items encourage readers to compare concepts, apply theoretical perspectives, and consider applications of the research findings presented. 
  •  Learning Objectives and Summaries: Core learning objectives are listed at the beginning of each chapter. The end-of-chapter summary returns to each learning objective, recapping the key concepts presented in the chapter related to that objective.
  •  Careers in Child Development: Students often don’t know where to begin in considering possible careers.  The Careers in Child Development feature highlights over 30 careers that are related to or benefit from an understanding of child development. Beginning with a discussion of transferrable skills and fields, this feature is organized by developmental domain and appears at the end of each Part, including Physical Development and Health, Cognitive Development, Socioemotional Development, and Contexts of Development.
  • Case-Based Application: Each chapter closes with a case scenario, Applying Your Knowledge, followed by in-depth questions that require students to apply their understanding to address a particular situation or problem.

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