The Whole-Brain Child

12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind

By: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson

Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • More than 1 million copies in print! • The authors of No-Drama Discipline and The Yes Brain explain the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures in this pioneering, practical book.

“Simple, smart, and effective solutions to your child’s struggles.”—Harvey Karp, M.D.

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.

Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.

“[A] useful child-rearing resource for the entire family . . . The authors include a fair amount of brain science, but they present it for both adult and child audiences.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Strategies for getting a youngster to chill out [with] compassion.”—The Washington Post

“This erudite, tender, and funny book is filled with fresh ideas based on the latest neuroscience research. I urge all parents who want kind, happy, and emotionally healthy kids to read The Whole-Brain Child. This is my new baby gift.”—Mary Pipher, Ph.D., author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other

“Gives parents and teachers ideas to get all parts of a healthy child’s brain working together.”—Parent to Parent

©2011 Mind Your Brain, Inc., and Tina Payne Bryson, Inc. (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Siegel and Bryson reveal that an integrated brain with parts that cooperate in a coordinated and balanced manner creates a better understanding of self, stronger relationships, and success in school, among other benefits. With illustrations, charts, and even a handy ‘Refrigerator Sheet,’ the authors have made every effort to make brain science parent-friendly.”—Publishers Weekly

“Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson have created a masterful, reader-friendly guide to helping children grow their emotional intelligence. This brilliant method transforms everyday interactions into valuable brain-shaping moments. Anyone who cares for children—or who loves a child—should read The Whole-Brain Child.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

“Fears? Fights? Frustrations? Help is here! Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson turn leading brain science into simple, smart—and effective—solutions to your child's struggles.”—Harvey Karp, M.D., bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block

A lifesaver

I've been struggling as a parent for years and this book gives me hope I'll enjoy it again.

Thoroughly insightful

Grateful this was encouraged as a read as it was highly insightful and enjoyable listening by the author. Thank you for the opportunity and sharing these experiences with us all! Definitely a gift for many of my friends, family, and colleagues.

My children will thank this book

Absolutely amazing and practical. I will be reading it over and over to keep it fresh🧡🤞🏼

Amazing!!!

This book is so helpful. It just makes sense. I have never believed kids are bad and this book explains the connection between the undesirable behavior and what is going on in the mind.

Loved it

Great book! Definitely would recommend to anyone that wants to better themselves or someone with kids.

Valuable, well explained content

Book has Useful strategies to use personally, as a parent or caregiver or therapist, counselor.

Everyone should listen

Valuable useful strategies not for kids but adults too. Love it! I think I will listen again at some point

Every parent needs to read this book!

This book helped me immediately. I was able to reconnect with my 11 years old and understand my toddler better. We are all trying our best for our little ones and ourselves. I listened this book while driving, working and before bed time. It gives examples about other families and teaching with stories. Understanding the thinking way of children is important.

Practical Developmental tools

Easy to listen to. Authors provided very doable suggestions to help develop a child’s brain. Activities and methods suggested are not difficult and are enjoyable to implement.

Science applied to parenting and distilled down into action items/approachable strategies. Great book!

I was looking for strategies to deal with my young children where I do something different than the extremes (give in or totally loose it). This book provided a number of well-researched science-backed strategies that are helping me become a better parent. I am grateful to the authors for sharing their knowledge on this key topic. Really loved the and examples of real-world parenting presented in a non-judgmental way. Along with examples of parenting using the proposed strategies.

For me, the mark of such books is that even if I manage to adopt 20% of the proposed material, it can make a material difference in my life. This book passes that bar and some. I use “connect and redirect” all the time now and it helps a lot.