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The Whole-Brain Child  By  cover art

The Whole-Brain Child

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

What listeners say about The Whole-Brain Child

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A lifesaver

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

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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.

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My children will thank this book

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

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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.

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Loved it

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

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Great pace and information!

I loved the book! I wish they would have included an accompanying PDF though - they discuss things to refer to in the book, but kinda difficult when I don’t have that.

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Parenting skills

It’s a good guidance tool. Very informative and has great examples for us parents to try with our kids when the situation arises.

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Eye opening

Definitely a must read if you have kids- it’s been so helpful to understand how the brain works, even in myself! So many great points about the importance of knowing your own mind and the role it plays in integrating your child’s mind throughout their life.

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Good basic for any parent to read!

I really enjoyed this book. It's very informative and even though I already knew most recommendations they make, I genuinely appreciated that it sheds more light on the why's, and how this development looks in the child's brain. That way, I found it easier to understand, integrate and apply the information.
It's written very much in a "for dummies" type of way and they talk dreadfully slow, so I agree with other reviews that recommend listening to it at a x1,2 or x1,5 speed.
It would be useful to split up the last chapter per age category to make it easier to come back to the audiobook as your child grows, as the writers intend. Other then that, I feel the book is very doable and understandable in an audiobook-shape.

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overall good, could use a pdf accompaniment

I read reviews that the science was outdated with this book and left brain right brain isn't used anymore. however, I like how the authors brought out left brain/right brain and married it together with top brain/bottom brain. very good suggestions to use overall. it could really use a pdf that comes along with the audio book. the last chapter is the reading of charts.

I'll also add that right off the bat the author says a fever is over 98.6. That's misinformation. so I guess eat the meat and spit the bones. not all advice, techniques, etc will work for every person. but it's worth a listen.

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