The journal encompasses a life-span approach, so in addition to manuscripts devoted to infancy, childhood, and adolescence, articles on adulthood and aging are also published.

The journal accepts submissions in the area of educational psychology as long as they are developmental in nature.

Submissions in cross cultural psychology are accepted, but they must add to our understanding of human development in a comparative global context.

Applied, descriptive, and qualitative articles are occasionally accepted, as are replications and refinements submitted as brief reports.

In line with the journal's commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of developmental psychology, all submitted articles should report, in the title and/or the abstract, the geographical and socio-cultural context where the study is rooted.