Accessible language, an engaging tone, current research and examples, and enticing illustrations make the material come to life, offering a balanced presentation of founding theories and a model of critical analysis.

Images of Life-Span Development vignettes, Spotlight boxes on research and policy, Socio-cultural Worlds of Development boxes, and Critical Thinking features offer extensive opportunities for application, reflection, and critical thinking.

The 19-chapter organization focuses students’ attention on key concepts while offering a balanced view of the life span.

Unique, built-in study tools, such as concept maps and summary tables, help students preview and review core concepts in life-span development.

The Third Canadian Edition incorporates current and relevant Canadian content into every aspect of the text—from the body of the chapters, to its pedagogical features, to the supplementary material that supports teaching and learning.

We want our students to see themselves in the text as much as possible and to understand how cultural contexts and experiences influence development over the life span. New features, photographs, and illustrations have been added to enhance the relevance of the content to readers of diverse cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, family structures, and other variables of the Canadian mosaic.

In the third edition, the authors are paying special attention to updating the genetics chapter, social issues boxes, and coverage of Aboriginal peoples.

In addition, the authors are ensuring all research cited is from 2000 or later.

Cognitive maps open each chapter with a visual preview of the entire chapter. Within each chapter, mini cognitive maps appear with each major text heading, helping students identify and recall relationships among key concepts.

Summary Tables at the end of each major section cue students to reflect and review before moving on.

Chapter Review material includes a recap of the chapter cognitive map, page-referenced lists of summary tables, key terms, and key people, and “Taking it to the Net” exercises.

Cross-Linkage icons refer students back to primary discussions of key concepts to reinforce and build upon what they have already learned.

Key Terms are defined in the margins as they appear in the text.

Images of Life-Span Development: These chapter-opening vignettes establish the context (Canadian, when possible) and set the tone for the content to follow with personal stories.

Critical Thinking boxes challenge students to discuss and debate contemporary issues of concern to Canadians.

Web icons indicate that links to additional resources on the topic are available at the Online Learning Centre.

Spotlight boxes on Research and Policy highlight life-span development research activities and its influence on social policy and students’ lives.

Socio-cultural Worlds of Development boxes give special attention to culture, ethnicity, and gender.