pThis concise guide offers an accessible introduction to genes, fetal development and early brain development. It integrates insights from typical and atypical development to reveal fundamental aspects of human growth and development, and common developmental disorders. ppThe topic books in this series draw on international research in the field and are informed by biological, social and cultural perspectives, offering explanations of developmental phenomena with a focus on how children and adolescents at different ages actually think, feel and act. In this succinct volume, Stephen von Tetzchner explains key topics including Genetic inheritance, evolution, heredity and environment in individual differences, fetal development, prenatal stimulation, methods of studying the brain, brain development, early and later plasticity and brain organization and atypical development.ppTogether with a companion website that offers topic-based quizzes, lecturer PowerPoint slides and sample essay ques