Includes glossary, references and index.

Contents: The life-span perspective: Introduction -- Beginnings: Biological beginnings -- Prenatal development and birth -- Infancy: Physical development in infancy -- Cognitive development in infancy -- Socioemotional development in infancy -- Early childhood: Physical and cognitive development in early childhood -- Socioemotional development in early childhood -- Middle and late childhood: Physical and cognitive development in middle and late childhood -- Socioemotional development in middle and late childhood -- Adolescence: Physical and cognitive development in adolescence -- Socioemotional development in adolescence -- Early adulthood: Physical and cognitive development in early adulhood -- Socioemotional development in early adulthood -- Middle adulthood: Physical and cognitive development in middle adulthood -- Socioemotional development in middle adulthood -- Late adulthood: Physical development in late adulthood -- Cognitive development in late adulthood -- Socioemotional development in late adulthood -- Endings: Death, dying and grieving.