Perspectives on Childhood: An Interdisciplinary Approach

This comprehensive text offers an accessible introduction to the field of childhood studies. Written by a team of higher education teacher-scholars from diverse fields in the behavioral sciences, health sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, this is the first book of its kind to take a current and interdisciplinary approach to childhood studies starting from a framework of United States systems and standards. Designed to serve as a core/required text, Perspectives on Childhood: An Interdisciplinary Approach features a myriad of helpful pedagogical features including Learning Objectives, Case Studies, Chapter Summaries, “Challenging Assumptions,” Reflective Thinking Questions, and a Glossary. It also highlights young people’s expressions and concerns in their own words, featuring children’s poetry, writing, and artwork relevant to the topics presented throughout the text. Wide ranging yet in-depth, this book is an indispensable reference for all who are interested in the vibrant interdisciplinary field of childhood studies and its related professional paths in the areas of education, social work, and child psychology.

Dr. Connie M. Tang is a Professor of Psychology at Stockton University, where she teaches courses related to perspectives on childhood, children and the law, research on childhood and adolescence, and field placement in childhood studies. Her research topics include young children’s cognitive development, child maltreatment, juvenile delinquency, and the connection between social relationships and adolescent behavior. She received a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming, specializing in experimental and developmental psychology.

Dr. Helana Girgis is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stockton University. She earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, her M.A. from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Girgis teaches a range of undergraduate courses covering developmental psychology, cognitive development, and research methods. She is the Director of the Children’s Learning Lab, which examines cognitive development in young children. Dr. Girgis and her team of undergraduate research assistants examine diverse topics, such as children’s developing concepts of foods, community influences on moral judgments, and social biases.

Dr. Mary L. Padden-Denmead is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Stockton University. She is certified as a neonatal intensive care nurse with over 40 years of clinical nursing experience. She possesses 22 years of academic teaching experience with a focus on the nursing care of children and graduate research and theory courses. Her research interests include reflective learning, clinical decision-making in nursing students, interprofessional education, and racism, diversity, and inclusion in academia. She earned her Ph.D. from Widener University, her MSN with a clinical specialty in maternal-child nursing from the University of Delaware.