"Growing Points in Developmental Science is an ISSBD publication based on the millennium symposia papers published in the International Journal of Behavioural Development in 2000. This collection of overview chapters summarizes the state of the art and the way forward for this discipline.
Experienced researchers as well as younger, cutting-edge scientists have contributed to this international collection. The topics range from early experience to old age, and include issues in both social and cognitive development. Particular interests are investigated, such as the biological substrates of behavioural development, early experiences in terms of both basic and applied science, and cross-cultural contexts of development. Personality, knowledge and the acquisition of memory are also considered. In each case, the authors survey the history and traditions that have marked their research areas, as well as the current status and outlook.
Growing Points in Developmental Science represents expert wisdom rooted in a bird's eye view of the trends and controversies that have helped to shape the discipline, its contributions to science and its application. It is intended as a resource for scientists of different generations interested in developmental science, and will appeal to advanced students and young investigators as well as seasoned researchers.

Preface.E. Thelen, Motor Development as Foundation and Future of Developmental Psychology. H.R. Schaffer, The Early Experience Assumption: Past, Present and Future. R. Plomin, Behavioural Genetics in the 21st Century. T.D. Wachs, Nutritional Deficiencies as a Biological Context for Development. E.C. Melhuish, Prospects for Research on the Quality of Pre-School Experience. J. Flavell, Development of Children's Knowledge about the Mental World. G. Hatano, Domain-Specific Constraints of Conceptual Development. W. Schneider, Research on Memory Development: Past and Present. J.F. Dunn, Mindreading, Emotion Understanding, and Relationships. C. van Lieshout, Life-span Personality Development: Individual Differences among Goal-oriented Agents and Developmental Outcome. E.E. Maccoby, Perspectives on Gender Development. T.D. Little, Agency in Development. R.E. Tremblay, The Development of Aggressive Behaviour during Childhood. P. Dasen, Cross-cultural Views on Human Development in the Third Millennium. N. Galambos, Transitions in Adolescent Research. K.W. Schaie, The Impact of Longitudinal Studies on Understanding Development from Young Adulthood to Old Age. W. Hartup, Growing Points in Developmental Science: A Summing Up.

Willard W. Hartup is Professor Emeritus in the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota, where he taught for many years. He has also been the Institute's Director and President of the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development and the Society for Research in Child Development.
Rainer K. Silbereisen is Professor and Chair of Developmental Psychology at the University of Jena, and Adjunct Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. He is President of the German Psychological Association and the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Develoment as well as a member of the Academia Europaea and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.