Cognitive Development for Academic Achievement

“This book is unique. It offers a truly integrative perspective on education and cognitive development. No other book has the combination of depth, breadth, and accessibility. The book would be appropriate for classes in cognitive development, educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, and many more. Byrnes seamlessly crosses levels of analysis, and his discussion of the neural foundations of cognition, development, and education is superb.”

—David H. Uttal, PhD, School of Education and Social Policy and Department of Psychology, Northwestern University


“This book is very successful in providing an accessible, comprehensive developmental understanding of how children learn in general and in specific academic subject areas. Every chapter synthesizes a huge body of educationally relevant work and ends with implications for teachers. The book highlights the large gap between what is known about effective instructional approaches and what actually happens in classrooms, providing direction to stakeholders. It is enjoyable to read. I recommend this book as a text for educational psychology courses and a resource for anyone interested in reducing the achievement gap between low- and high-income students.”

—Marla R. Brassard, PhD, Professor Emerita of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University


“As a professor, one of the most challenging courses in a teacher certification program is the required psychology course. Students come with a strong goal in mind—to learn how to teach—and they are not very interested in isolated psychology theories. This book presents the major psychology theories and concepts, explains which ones are currently accepted and why, and, most important, provides a direct connection to the practice of teaching. It is easy to read and understand. I wish this text had been available when I was teaching this course!”

—Mitchell Rabinowitz, PhD, Graduate School of Education, Fordham University