PREFACE

The development of Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence (GEOCA) was directed by one of the most well-respected teachers and researchers in the field of child development, Jerome Kagan of Harvard University (see About the Editor, page vii). From a master list of over 1,500 terms prepared under Professor Kagan's direction, the editorial advisors reviewed and selected over 800 terms for inclusion in GEOCA. In carrying out this daunting task, the advisors, representing the wide range of disciplines encompassing child development, focused their work on the needs of the target audience for GEOCA—parents, librarians, teachers, undergraduate students, health care providers, and social service professionals.

Terms reflect the range of subfields encompassed by the field of child development—from profiles of notable individuals and organizations to essays on childhood illnesses and diseases, to key concepts and theories. The comprehensive bibliography complements the suggestions for further reading that accompany nearly all essays. A comprehensive subject index directs users to topics of interest.

The contributors acknowledge the support and assistance of their own colleagues and staff members who provided guidance and review during preparation of essays for this work. Boris Birmaher, M.D., and David Axelson, M.D., wish to thank Therese Deiseroth for her assistance in the preparation of the entry on depression. Cherie B. Boyer, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, wishes to acknowledge the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Disease Branch for their financial support of her work on sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Boyer would also like to thank Dulce Mohler and Ming Lau for their assistance in preparing the manuscript on the subject for this encyclopedia.

The editors acknowledge with gratitude the support and guidance provided by staff editors at Gale Research: Thorn Votteler, who saw the project through its planning stages; Kyung Lim Kalasky, who edited the entries and kept the project moving forward with skill, patience, and intelligence; Christine Jeryan, who supervised the development process; Shanna Heilveil and Evi Seoud, who took the finished product and turned it into a bound volume.

Special appreciation is due to the contributors and advisors, guided by executive editor Jerome Kagan, for their warmth, intelligence, and diligent support through the years of development of GEOCA. I hope they will join me in beaming with pride at this bound product of their outstanding efforts.