The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

— Written by Daniel Siegel, MD, & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD in 2011,

— Review written by Heather Gonzales, 2023

Quick Review & Considerations

Short, concise, and easy to read
Includes and spells out 12 parenting strategies that can be readily practiced
Includes sections addressing concepts for parents to increase their own skills as well as how to teach them to kids
Based on research and neuroscience and pulls from Siegel’s other books
While this book does not say it addresses trauma, the tips in it are beneficial to kids with trauma as well. Many of them are aspects discussed in other books on trauma- for example, The Body Keeps the Score discusses the importance of being able to put words to our experiences, which correlates well to this book’s tip “Name it to Tame it”.
Has a chart for quick referencing of each strategy as it pertains to each developmental age of children, from 0-12 years old (starts on p. 154)

Please Note:

Listing books here is not intended to indicate absolute agreement with all content, techniques, suggestions, word choices, or other work by the authors- but to indicate a large portion of information that was found helpful. It is recommended that whatever you read, no matter who recommends it or writes it, that readers use critical thinking and that content is reviewed in a thoughtful, contemplative, and reflective manner.

List and comments reflects the individual opinions of Heather Gonzales and are written from the perspective of an adoptee, for those looking for resources for adoptees or adoptive families specifically. Lists are not necessarily a reflection of all staff or Encompass Adoptees as a whole.