Laura E. Berk

Laura E. Berk is a professor of psychology at Illinois State University, where she teaches courses in child psychology, adolescent psychology, and developmental psychology, with a focus on lifelong development. She has numerous publications on topics related to the impact of the school environment on child development and the role of pretend play in development, among others. Her empirical studies have garnered public interest with publications in Psychology Today and Scientific American. She is the author of the books "Private Speech: From Social Interaction to Self-Regulation," "Scaffolding Children’s Learning: Vygotsky and Early Childhood Education," "Landscapes of Development: An Anthology of Readings," and "A Mandate for Playful Learning in Preschool: Presenting the Evidence," in addition to "Development Through the Lifespan."