The latest findings on the mental, emotional, and physical life of the human infant, presented in nontechnical language and user-friendly A–Z format.

Just three centuries ago, people began to recognize a child's first 18 months as a significant developmental period, and only in the last quarter century has infancy become the subject of intensive, interdisciplinary research. In fields ranging from social work to nursing, from nutrition to early childhood education, and from occupational therapy to speech pathology, researchers have focused on infants.



Covering a broad range of topics, Infancy in America details the explosion of new theories and knowledge that has overturned many long-held notions. Brain development research and extensive sociological studies have generated public awareness of the importance of infancy. This encyclopedia details recent concepts and findings, critical issues in the field, and some of the individuals who have helped shape it.









More than 500 entries, ranging from down-to-earth child-rearing advice to summaries of the latest research in medicine and developmental psychology



Contributions by 31 experts from a broad range of disciplines, including medicine, education, psychology, and sociology