Originally published in 1991, this volume contains critical state-of-the-art essays on significant aspects of children's development and developmental inquiry. Among the topics examined: infant perception, action and social cognition; concept development and language; children's play; parent education; children with autism and Tourette’s Syndrome; pediatrics and child development; and science, practice, and gender roles in early child psychology.

A distinctive unifying theme arises from the contributors’ discussions of substantive ideas in the context of their own impressive intellectual biographies. While providing a collective case-study in the recent history of ideas, the contributors honor the intellectual and personal influence of William Kessen.