Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN) has made significant strides since its inception in the late 1980s. In this concluding chapter, we celebrate the progress made in understanding brain development from prenatal stages to adulthood, exploring genetics, epigenetics, neural foundations, and their connections to cognitive and socioemotional growth. While DCN research has gained public and policy attention, there are still theoretical, methodological, and practical challenges ahead, with the field being relatively young and open to exploration. We highlight key takeaways, emphasizing the intricate relationships between brain development, cognition, and the environment. The chapter discusses ongoing limitations and emerging research areas, aiming to inspire future researchers, particularly graduate students, to explore these promising directions. Lastly, we explore the broader societal impact of DCN research, showcasing its potential to deepen our understanding of human development and learning, bridging the gaps between genes, brain structure and function, and environmental influences. DCNs evolution promises to enrich our knowledge of human development and learning, offering insights that can benefit society.
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