Perhaps the biggest challenge of the life-span course is covering all periods of human development in one academic term. Dr. Santrock wrote Essentials of Life-Span Development to respond to the need for a shorter text that teaches core content in a way that is meaningful to diverse students.

An integrated learning goals system makes the robust research foundation of the text accessible to students. Students report that highlighting the connections among the different aspects of lifespan development helps them to better understand and retain the concepts.

Research shows that students today learn in multiple modalities: their work preferences tend to be more visual and more interactive, and their reading and study sessions often occur in short bursts. With shorter chapters and engaging interactive modules, Essentials of Life-Span Development allows students to study whenever and however they choose, and connects with students on a personal, individual basis, leading to course success.