Early Childhood Development and Later Outcome

Theories of infant cognition have transformed radically over the span of less than a century. Once considered unintelligent, infants are now described as partners in their own development. Modern research analyzes the ways in which cognitive and social skills developed early in life help shape intelligence, personality and achievement over time. In Early Childhood Development and Later Outcome, Sabina Pauen has compiled essays by international experts reflecting the state of infant cognition studies and developmental psychology. These essays present cutting-edge research on a broad range of topics of relevance to scientists, teachers and policy makers alike. The volume addresses current research on skill formation as well as longitudinal studies tracing achievement beyond childhood. Collectively, this work points the way toward approaches that will deepen our understanding of infant cognition and the profound consequences of early childhood development for future achievement.Introduction: looking back and looking forward: milestones in research on early development Sabina Pauen and Marc Bornstein; 1. The beginnings of conceptual development Jean M. Mandler and Judy DeLoach; 2. Core cognition and beyond: the acquisition of physical and numerical knowledge Renee Baillargeon and Susan Carey; 3. Learning from and about the social world Tricia Striano and Amanda Woodward; 4. Acquiring language: learning the spoken and the written word Sandra Waxman and Usha Goswami; 5. Infant cognitive functioning and mental development Marc Bornstein and J. Colombo; 6. Early hazards to brain development: effects of early institutionalization on brain and behavioral development Charles A. Nelson III, Nathan A. Fox and Charles H. Zeanah; 7. Non-parental care and emotional development Michael E. Lamb.