This comprehensive and accessible book introduces child development in the first three years of life. Organized chronologically, the book explores three developmental stages - newborn (birth to 3 months), infant (4 to 17 months), and child (18 to 36 months) - covering physical, perceptual, cognitive, language, emotional, and social development at each stage. The book sets this fundamental information in theories of development, contexts of development, research methods in development, and developmental implications for social policies, applications, and interventions.

Key issues, such as the interplay between nature and nurture and interrelations among the several domains of development, are seamlessly integrated throughout. Emphasizing the early years as a unique and critical phase of life, this book features user-friendly elements, like boxes that focus on How Do We Know This? and Application. Presented in full color, the book also defines key terms in a glossary and offers suggested readings.

Authored by world-renowned experts in child development, this essential edition is ideal for undergraduate courses in psychology, education, child development, nursing, and social work. It also serves as a valuable resource for professionals in early childhood development and education.