In the view of many instructors who teach the life-span development course, the biggest challenge they face is covering all periods of human development within one academic term. My own teaching experience bears this out. I have had to skip over much of the material in a comprehensive life-span development text in order to focus on key topics and concepts that students find difficult and to fit in applications that are relevant to students' lives. I wrote "Essential of Life-Span Development" to respond to the need for a shorter text that covers core content in a way that is meaningful to diverse students.

    This third edition continues my commitment to a brief introduction to life-span development with an exciting difference. Recognizing that most of today's students have grown up in a digital world, I take very seriously the need for communicating content in different ways, online as well as in print. Consequently, I'm enthusiastic about McGraw-Hill's new online assignment and assessment platform, Connect Life-Span Development, which incorporates this text and the captivating Milestones video modules. Together, these resources give students and instructors the essential coverage, applications, and course tools they need to tailor the life-span course to meet their specific needs.

1. Introduction
2. Biologican Beginnings
3. Physical and Cognitive Development in Infancy
4. Socioemotional Development in Infancy
5. Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
6. Socioemotional Development in Early Childhood
7. Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle and Late Childhood
8. Socioemotional Development in Middle and Lagte Childhood
9. Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
10. Socioemotional Development in Adolescence
, etc.