Child Development, Second Edition: A Practitioner's Guide(Clinical Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families)

Books on child development frequently present theory and research without reference to practice, while practice-oriented texts often deal with development superficially. This much-needed resource fills a crucial gap, focusing on how practitioners can apply the latest developmental knowledge to assessment and intervention with children and families. The book begins with a theoretical framework for understanding the transactions between individual development and the child's wider environments, examining the crucial roles of attachment and parenting and the ecology of risk and protective factors. Chapters then detail normal behavior and salient developmental tasks for infancy, toddlerhood, the preschool period, and middle childhood. Numerous case vignettes and observational examples bring the research to life and highlight special considerations for working with children with difficulties.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Contexts of Development. Introduction: Perspectives on Development. Attachment as a Context of Development. Risk and Protective Factors: The Child, Family, and Community Contexts. Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors: Practice Applications. Part II: The Course of Child Development. Introduction: A Developmental Lens on Childhood. Infant Development. Practice with Infants. Toddler Development. Practice with Toddlers. Preschool Development. Practice with Preschoolers. Middle Childhood Development. Practice with School-Age Children. Conclusion: Developmental Practice and Knowledge.

About the Author :
Douglas Davies, MSW, PhD, is Clinical/Practice Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is an infant mental health specialist and has published several articles on intervention with young children and their families. In his practice, he works with children and families, supervises clinicians, and offers consultation to mental health agencies and child care centers. He frequently presents professional workshops on practice with infants and toddlers, play therapy, treatment of child witnesses of domestic violence, child care consultation, and developmental approaches to child therapy.

Review :
"This is indeed a practitioner's guide to child development. Davies presents frontier understanding of the complex interactions between child and experience that underlie all developmental achievements leading to both healthy and problematic child behavior. Combining advanced academic knowledge with applications to specific child problems, the author provides both students and those already involved in clinical work and intervention efforts a clarity of vision into how developmental symptoms arise and how they can be alleviated. This text is an excellent preparation for undergraduates and graduate students interested in understanding and improving the lives of children."--Arnold J. Sameroff, PhD "I highly recommend this second edition for courses in child development or human behavior in the social environment. Although the text provides the depth and complexity required for graduate-level students, it could easily be adapted for use with undergraduates. The author expertly integrates knowledge of human development with practice examples and strategies, helpfully organized by developmental stage. Case studies are rich in complexity and cultural diversity, and provide challenging, realistic material for discussions and assignments. In particular, I appreciated the inclusion of multiple case studies involving child maltreatment and family violence, trauma, and parental substance use--all difficult but common issues that can profoundly affect child development and practice with children and families. The underlying risk and resilience framework offers a cutting-edge perspective on child development that resonates well with social work practice philosophies. Readable, well-organized, and engaging."--Kristen Shook Slack, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison "No one else writes about attachment and development with the wisdom and genuineness of Douglas Davies. This second edition has retained all the graceful writing and richness of content of its predecessor, but now has an expanded scope. Included are additional cross-cultural studies and case examples, many more descriptions of normal child behavior, references to current policy, and updates in all areas of developmental research. Of great significance is a detailed, comprehensive chapter on brain development that is both knowledgeable and clear. I find this book useful both in the classroom with graduate students and in clinical practice with families. When psychological writing unfolds with such ease and candor, when the information seems to flow from one subject to the next, you know you are reading the work of a gifted writer and clinician. An exceptional text."--Sallie Foley, MSW, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Michigan "This new edition, while specifically aimed at those in social work, contains thought-provoking material for any student of child development. The new chapter on brain development updates and extends Davies's developmental pathways conception in useful ways, and the thorough vignettes help to engage students in consideration of what development looks like in actual life."--Katheryn East, EdD, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations, College of Education, University of Northern Iowa "I used the previous edition of this text in a cognitive development course for psychology doctoral students. Numerous students reported that the text was a tremendous resource both professionally and personally. The chapters are concise yet deeply informative and generate great discussions, and the author has a gift for helping students stay connected and stimulated. The coverage of brain development and other new topics in the second edition will make this text even more comprehensive and useful. In addition to graduate courses, I could see using this book in undergraduate courses as well."--Valerie Correa, PsyD, LMFT, School of Professional Psychology, Pacific University "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and includes everything you would expect....The case material is extremely helpful."--"Doody's Electronic Journal"