The Fabric of Life: Understanding Human Development Across the Lifespan
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2025
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$78.00 USD
The Fabric of Life: Understanding Human Development Across the Lifespan is an engaging and accessible textbook designed for today’s diverse classrooms. Spanning from conception to late adulthood, this book delivers a comprehensive exploration of human growth, change, and resilience across the lifespan. With a balanced blend of cutting-edge research, classic theories, and real-world case studies, The Fabric of Life equips students with the foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to understand development at every stage of life.
What makes this book stand out is its commitment to making complex concepts approachable and relevant. Clear chapter organization, vivid storytelling, and practical examples draw students into the material, while interactive features encourage application beyond the classroom. Special attention is given to cultural, contextual, and contemporary issues shaping development, empowering learners to connect course content to their own lives and communities. With its student-friendly tone and instructor-ready resources, The Fabric of Life is the ideal choice for courses in psychology, education, social work, nursing, and related fields.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Lifespan Development
Chapter 2 Developmental Theories
Chapter 3 Prenatal Development and Birth
Chapter 4 Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 5 Early Childhood
Chapter 6 Middle Childhood
Chapter 7 Adolescence
Chapter 8 Early Adulthood
Chapter 9 Middle Adulthood
Chapter 10 Late Adulthood
Chapter 11 Death, Dying, and Bereavement
Chapter 12 Contexts and Applications of Lifespan Development
Shauna Maldonado-French is an educator, curriculum designer, and author dedicated to helping students and teachers unlock meaningful learning experiences across the lifespan. She currently teaches psychology at Santa Monica College, where she specializes in developmental psychology and human growth courses, inspiring adult learners through accessible, real-world applications of theory.
With over a decade of experience in public education and higher education, Shauna has developed innovative curriculum and professional learning programs for one of the largest school districts in the nation. Her work focuses on equity, student engagement, and instructional design that bridges research and practice.
Shauna is also the author of The Fabric of Life: Understanding Human Development Across the Lifespan (Kendall Hunt, 2025), a flipped-classroom textbook designed to integrate diverse perspectives, practical case studies, and supportive scaffolding for students at every level. Her passion for creating engaging, student-centered resources extends beyond the classroom into her writing, professional development leadership, and nonprofit work in educational access.
When she is not teaching or writing, Shauna enjoys walking outdoors, working on creative writing projects, and spending time with her family, friends, and dog, Fern.