"The astute editors and leading scholars have produced the best single overview of the exploding field of early childhood development, covering both old and new pressing issues in this burgeoning field. Must reading for both basic and applied workers, as well as scholars working at the intersect of knowledge and policy construction." Edward Zigler, The Edward Zigler Center ... Read morein Child Development and Social Policy "This is a comprehensive and authoritative review of the field of early childhood research, covering the basic scientific and key policy issues, with contributions from the leading researchers. It will be an essential reference for anyone interested in the exciting early development of children, with the breadth, depth and clarity of its coverage." Judy Dunn, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, London "Kathleen McCartney and Deborah Phillips have recruited many of the top names in the field of early child development to provide timely and informative reviews of a very fast-moving field. This handbook will be obligatory reading for researchers and practitioners alike. Whether you are looking for a conceptual framework, the latest empirical findings in key domains such as the development of cognition, language and emotion, or the implications for policy, this book should serve as a first point of reference." Paul L. Harris, Harvard University "This book simply redefines "comprehensive"! It is truly interactive in that it constantly elicits the reader's input by raising and/or addressing issues that reach far beyond the printed page." Toni Brennan, University of Surrey “The assembling of a large number of qualified experts to write short, clear summaries of their areas is an impressive achievement, and the context and policy sections go beyond expectations … making it valuable even to scholars already knowledgeable in the field.” Marie-Pierre M. Gosselin and David R. Foreman, Canadian Psychology Show Less