Note: This is an audiobook summary of the following book:

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD

About:

Scientific studies of the human brain have a lot to tell us about childhood development and how the various parts of the brain work together. By understanding the concepts of the left and right brain, the “upstairs” and “downstairs” brain, and interpersonal integration, we can consciously guide the physical development of our children’s brains so that they can be happier and healthier, both now and into adulthood.

The Whole Brain Child offers strategies for handling the everyday challenges of parenting, including children’s struggles with themselves and conflicts with others, so as to not only survive the difficult moments but use them to guide the development of your child’s brain toward personal insight, empathy, and integration.

Here’s what you’ll learn about in this summary:

• The whole-brain perspective allows parents to harness daily parenting challenges and to not only survive them, but use them to teach our kids to thrive
• The brain is “plastic”, or moldable, and our experiences change the physical structure of our brains even into old age - this means that at any age we can rewire our brains
• Teaching your child how to integrate the many parts of herself will help her develop into a happier, healthier adult in control of how she interacts with others
   

Original Book Description:

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the best-selling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with 12 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-20s. 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 that will help you explain these concepts to your child, 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.