This stimulating volume assembles leading scholars to address issues in children¿s cognitive
academic and social development through the lens of evolutionary psychology.Debates and
controversies in the field highlight the potential value of this understanding from basic
early learning skills through emerging social relationships in adolescence with implications
for academic outcomes curriculum development and education policy.Children¿s evolved tendency
toward play and exploration fuels an extended discussion on child- versus adult-directed
learning evolutionary bases are examined for young learners¿ moral development and
contemporary theories of learning and memory are viewed from an evolutionary perspective.Along
the way contributors¿ recommendations illustrate real-world uses of evolution-based learning
interventions during key developmental years. Among the topics covered: The adaptive value of
cognitive immaturity: applications of evolutionary developmental psychology to early education
Guided play: a solution to the play versus learning dichotomy Adolescent bullying in schools:
an evolutionary perspective Fairness: what it isn¿t what it is and what it might be for
Adapting evolution education to a warming climate of teaching and learning The effects of an
evolution-informed school environment on student performance and wellbeing Evolutionary
Perspectives on Child Development and Education will interest researchers and graduate students
working in diverse areas such as evolutionary psychology cultural anthropology human ecology
developmental psychology and educational psychology. Researchers in applied developmental
science and early education will also find it useful.
