When a local context really makes the difference…  

The new edition of this original Australian text continues to offer the most balanced coverage of theory and research for Australian students and educators and appeals to students from many backgrounds. It covers the domains of development including neurological, cognitive, social, physical and personality.  

The text is organised chronologically by chapter. Within each chapter content is organised topically. This structure allows for a degree of flexibility and lecturers can choose the way they wish to approach the content, whether it is topically or chronologically.  

Introducing My Virtual Child and MyVirtualLife! 

My Virtual Child is an interactive web-based simulation that allows you to raise a child from birth to age 18 and monitor the effects of your parenting decisions over time. This engaging website lets you apply the key concepts that you are learning in class. And just like in real life, certain unplanned events will be presented to you. If you have decided to rear a virtual child using the software program at www.myvirtualchild.com, you will be aware of the crying, feeding and soothing issues discussed in this chapter. Take a look also at the video segments linked with the virtual child’s early development. Concepts described in this chapter, including reflexes, habituation and Piaget’s object permanence tests are vividly portrayed. Raise your child, live your life.

MyVirtualLife is two simulations in one. The first simulation allows you to raise a child from birth to age 18 and monitor the effects of your parenting decisions over time. In the second simulation you will make first person decisions and see the impact of those decisions on your simulated future self over time.