Key Topics in Infant Development

Dr Laura Katus is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom. Her research examines neurocognitive development in infancy and early childhood using neuroimaging and behavioural measures, with a focus on identifying early neural markers of later self-regulation and executive function in at-risk populations exposed to early life adversity.Prof Michelle de Haan is Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London (UCL), United Kingdom. Her research uses neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods to investigate the neural basis of cognitive and social development in typically developing children and in children with neurodevelopmental and medical conditions.

The authors have produced a broad but comprehensive introduction to the main theories, methods and technology that have shaped modern infancy research. Their rich and masterful overview is rooted in a strongly scientific and mechanistic approach and brings the reader fully up to date, including applications to practice and policy, and the application of AI methods. The book is essential reading for students of early human development and provides an excellent stepping stone for moving on to more advanced studies.Prof Mark H. Johnson, University of Cambridge and Birkbeck, University of London, UKIn this timely volume, de Haan and Katus offer a compelling argument why the study of infant development is so central to our understanding of human development and to public policies that impact the health of societies. All the key themes of infancy are laid out here, from sensitive periods to how the child’s mind is formed to the methodological challenges of studying a squirmy, attention-challenged, non-verbal baby. This book should be of great interest to anyone interested in human development and to public policies that impact children and families.Prof Charles A Nelson III, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Graduate School of Educationde Haan’s and Katus’ Key Topics in Infant Development is a long overdue resource that covers core concepts, complex theories, and cutting-edge research methods and findings with an ideal balance of rigor and accessibility. The authors bring to life the stunning achievements of infancy, organized around questions that have inspired developmental scientists for decades. The book accomplishes the remarkable feat of providing both breadth and depth of coverage in a concise way to maintain readers’ interest. Topics in Infant Development will appeal to undergraduate students in psychology, child development, education, and related fields, and to researchers and practitioners across disciplines who seek to expand their knowledge about infant development through an engaging and succinct overview of the field.Prof Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda, New York UniversityAbbreviated version for book coverThe authors have produced a […] rich and masterful overview [which] is rooted in a strongly scientific and mechanistic approach and brings the reader fully up to date, including applications to practice and policy, and the application of AI methods. The book is essential reading for students of early human development and provides an excellent stepping stone for moving on to more advanced studies.Prof Mark H. Johnson, University of Cambridge and Birkbeck, University of London, UKIn this timely volume, de Haan and Katus offer a compelling argument why the study of infant development is so central to our understanding of human development and to public policies that impact the health of societies. All the key themes of infancy are laid out here, from sensitive periods to how the child’s mind is formed to the methodological challenges of studying a squirmy, attention-challenged, non-verbal baby. This book should be of great interest to anyone interested in human development and to public policies that impact children and families.Prof Charles A Nelson III, Harvard Universityde Haan’s and Katus’ Key Topics in Infant Development is a long overdue resource that covers core concepts, complex theories, and cutting-edge research methods and findings with an ideal balance of rigor and accessibility. The authors bring to life the stunning achievements of infancy, organized around questions that have inspired developmental scientists for decades. The book accomplishes the remarkable feat of providing both breadth and depth of coverage in a concise way to maintain readers’ interest. Topics in Infant Development will appeal to undergraduate students in psychology, child development, education, and related fields, and to researchers and practitioners across disciplines who seek to expand their knowledge about infant development through an engaging and succinct overview of the field.Prof Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda, New York University

• Ch 1 Key Foundations in Infant Development. Ch 2 Key Theories. Ch 3 Key Methodologies. Ch 4 Key Impacts on Research or Practice and Policy. Ch 5 Key Emerging Areas. Index. Glossary. Review and extension questions. References.