A new understanding of cognitive development from the perspective of neuroscience

This book provides a state-of-the-art understanding of the neural bases of cognitive development. Although the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience is still in its infancy, the authors effectively demonstrate that our understanding of cognitive development is and will be vastly improved as the mechanisms underlying development are elucidated.

The authors begin by establishing the value of considering neuroscience in order to understand child development and then provide an overview of brain development. They include a critical discussion of experience-dependent changes in the brain. The authors explore whether the mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity differ from those underlying adult plasticity, and more fundamentally, what distinguishes plasticity from development.

Having armed the reader with key neuroscience basics, the book begins its examination of the neural bases of cognitive development by examining the methods employed by professionals in developmental cognitive neuroscience. Following a brief historical overview, the authors discuss behavioral, anatomic, metabolic, and electrophysiological methods. Finally, the book explores specific content areas, focusing on those areas where there is a significant body of knowledge on the neural underpinnings of cognitive development, including:

• Declarative and non-declarative memory and learning
• Spatial cognition
• Object recognition
• Social cognition
• Speech and language development
• Attention development

For cognitive and developmental psychologists, as well as students in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive development, the authors' view of behavioral development from the perspective of neuroscience sheds new light on the mechanisms that underlie how the brain functions and how a child learns and behaves.

Romney Nelson is a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author, teacher and Leading Goal Setting and Habit Development Expert. He commenced his career as a school teacher working in some of the most well-known schools in Australia, including Head of Faculty positions in Oxford and Wimbledon, United Kingdom. Following a career change, he operated a corporate events business in Queensland, Australia, before joining the largest global provider of outside school hours care for schools in 2009. During his 9-years he progressed to a National role responsible for a $30 million portfolio. During his tenure, he was pivotal in building the family business to eventually be sold to a private US investment group. Romney authored his first resource, PE on the GO; a physical education resource for teachers in 2009 and has now through his business 'The Life Graduate Publishing Group', has gone on to author and create over 250 books and resources including three titles that have become Amazon #1 Best Sellers.