Child Development, Second Edition: A Practitioner's Guide (Clinical Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families)

I highly recommend this second edition for courses in child development or human behavior in the social environment. Although the text provides the depth and complexity required for graduate-level students, it could easily be adapted for use with undergraduates. The author expertly integrates knowledge of human development with practice examples and strategies, helpfully organized by developmental stage. Case studies are rich in complexity and cultural diversity, and provide challenging, realistic material for discussions and assignments. In particular, I appreciated the inclusion of multiple case studies involving child maltreatment and family violence, trauma, and parental substance use--all difficult but common issues that can profoundly affect child development and practice with children and families. The underlying risk and resilience framework offers a cutting-edge perspective on child development that resonates well with social work practice philosophies. Readable, well-organized, and engaging. --Kristen Shook Slack, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison

No one else writes about attachment and development with the wisdom and genuineness of Douglas Davies. This second edition has retained all the graceful writing and richness of content of its predecessor, but now has an expanded scope. Included are additional cross-cultural studies and case examples, many more descriptions of normal child behavior, references to current policy, and updates in all areas of developmental research. Of great significance is a detailed, comprehensive chapter on brain development that is both knowledgeable and clear. I find this book useful both in the classroom with graduate students and in clinical practice with families. When psychological writing unfolds with such ease and candor, when the information seems to flow from one subject to the next, you know you are reading the work of a gifted writer and clinician. An exceptional text. --Sallie Foley, MSW, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Michigan

This new edition, while specifically aimed at those in social work, contains thought-provoking material for any student of child development. The new chapter on brain development updates and extends Davies's developmental pathways conception in useful ways, and the thorough vignettes help to engage students in consideration of what development looks like in actual life. --Katheryn East, EdD, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, College of Education, University of Northern Iowa

I used the previous edition of this text in a cognitive development course for psychology doctoral students. Numerous students reported that the text was a tremendous resource both professionally and personally. The chapters are concise yet deeply informative and generate great discussions, and the author has a gift for helping students stay connected and stimulated. The coverage of brain development and other new topics in the second edition will make this text even more comprehensive and useful. In addition to graduate courses, I could see using this book in undergraduate courses as well. --Valerie Correa, PsyD, LMFT, School of Professional Psychology, Pacific University