Growth and Development Across the Lifespan: A Health Promotion Focus » (1st Edition)

Leifer (Riverside Community College) and Hartson (University of California, San Francisco) explain theories about physical, cognitive, social, and personality development in each stage of the life cycle, and outline the normal development, behavior, skills, and limitations to be expected. Intended for health care workers, the textbook suggests different educational strategies for working with children and adults. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Penny Wolfe Moore, RNC, PhD(Southwestern Adventist University)
Description:This book provides a "comprehensive review of concepts of growth and development from conception to death. . ." There are a few black-and-white photographs and shade areas of pink-to-red are used to emphasize topics, boxes, and other special information.
Purpose:The authors are not specific about their purpose but it is embedded in their statement, "We hope that the information contained in this text will provide the reader with the tools to enhance communication and develop effective plans of care for individual patients and their families." The book meets this purpose and goes far beyond.
Audience:The utilization of information contained in this book is not dependent on scope of practice, so the text can be useful to those studying in multidisciplinary health-related fields such as nursing, psychology, counseling, early childhood education, or any field where the understanding of the needs, risks, and challenges of a specific age group influences a positive outcome of the interaction." This covers it well! The book is small and can be used as an adjunct text throughout a nursing program. I am finding it especially useful in a capstone, "get them ready for NCLEX-RN" course.
Features:This text explains concepts and theories about physical, cognitive, social, and personality development in each stage of the life cycle, from conception to death. It also provides an explanation of normal development, behavior, skills, and limitations at each life stage and a discussion of external influences such as culture and environment on normal development." Information about Healthy People 2010 is integrated throughout. There is a strong emphasis on prevention and planning. The only way to improve this excellent book is to add color.
Assessment:This is a great addition to any healthcare provider's library. I recommend it for students' use throughout their healthcare education. This book would help hospitals meet JACHO requirements for life span education. It is so interesting I had trouble putting it down. An instructor's resource manual and a test bank of 375 examination questions are available.