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.

A new understanding of cognitive development from the perspectiveof neuroscienceThis book provides a state-of-the-art understanding of the neuralbases of cognitive development. Although the field of developmentalcognitive neuroscience is still in its infancy, the authorseffectively demonstrate that our understanding of cognitivedevelopment is and will be vastly improved as the mechanismsunderlying development are elucidated.The authors begin by establishing the value of consideringneuroscience in order to understand child development and thenprovide an overview of brain development. They include a criticaldiscussion of experience-dependent changes in the brain. Theauthors explore whether the mechanisms underlying developmentalplasticity differ from those underlying adult plasticity, and morefundamentally, what distinguishes plasticity fromdevelopment.Having armed the reader with key neuroscience basics, the bookbegins its examination of the neural bases of cognitive developmentby examining the methods employed by professionals in developmentalcognitive neuroscience. Following a brief historical overview, theauthors discuss behavioral, anatomic, metabolic, andelectrophysiological methods. Finally, the book explores specificcontent areas, focusing on those areas where there is a significantbody of knowledge on the neural underpinnings of cognitivedevelopment, including:* Declarative and non-declarative memory and learning* Spatial cognition* Object recognition* Social cognition* Speech and language development* Attention developmentFor cognitive and developmental psychologists, as well as studentsin developmental psychology, neuroscience, and cognitivedevelopment, the authors' view of behavioral development from theperspective of neuroscience sheds new light on the mechanisms thatunderlie how the brain functions and how a child learns andbehaves.

Preface.Introduction: Why should developmental psychologists beinterested in the brain?1. Brain Development and Neural Plasticity.2. Neural Plasticity.3. Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience.4. The Development of Speech and Language.5. The Development of Declarative (or Explicit) Memory.6. The Development of Nondeclarative (or Implicit) Memory.7. The Development of Spatial Cognition.8. The Development of Object Recognition.9. The Development of Social Cognition.10. The Development of Higher Cognition (Executive)Funtions.11. The Development of Attention.12. The Future of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.References.Index.