This practical and interesting read contains many anecdotes, real-life examples, and special features drawn from the author"s extensive experience as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. It reflects the fascinating story of our development—and the development of others around us—to encourage readers to examine their lives and the lives of others. Chapter topics include the beginnings of human life; heredity, environmental influences, and prenatal development; cultural influences and individual differences on human development; child development; adolescent development; adult development; parenting issues, and death, dying, and bereavement. For anyone trying to understand how we have become the individuals we are today, and curious about how our development will change throughout our lives.