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

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.

Solid advice for raising kids

While a few of the mental models are antiquated or oversimplified e.g. Right brain, Left brain, this book does a great job of explaining how a kids brain works with analogies that are easy to understand and put to use

I applied some of the lessons right away and noticed immediate positive effects. It helped my daughter feel less scared about a recurring nightmare and gave me some great ways to work through tantrums. Strongly recommend this one to parents of toddlers.

Amazing! A must read for parents and anyone working with youth.

I really appreciated all the great examples they provided with how each part of the brain works. I have used many techniques fromnthis book as well as taught a lesson about the "up stairs and down stair brain" to my 2nd grade students.

Easy comprehension

While multitasking, I wasn't sure how well it would go to listen through a learning- type book, but the organization and repetition of main points in this book proved very easy to listen through. I felt I was able to learn and apply things immediately.

Great Book

I really enjoyed listening and learning more about how the brain works on kids.

It was very easy to listen and the authors did a good job in explaining everything in an easy way.

Great information!

I will be listening to this again and would recommend to anyone! It has helped my wife and I understand how to help our kids grow

Great help!

I liked the general advise with specific examples. I will come back to it as my child reaches the different stages. As a neuroscientist, I absolutely agree with their approach to parenting.

my go to.

it gives me a new outlook on how to raise my little ones. also switching between readers kept me very engaged. Amazing book

The science of the brain easily explained

The writers did an excellent job explaining the brain. Great tips for parenting. I highly recommend this book to every parent.