The Whole-Brain Child

jami reviewed The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D.

Review of 'The Whole-Brain Child' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I just used this on my kid and it worked!!! I asked what he likes best about his summer program and he said "Nothing."

I asked what he likes least, which I would normally never do, and he said "The snacks." He went on kind of a tirade about gross jerky and wheat crackers and I told him that someone bought that thinking he'd like it, so make sure not to hurt their feelings. He said "I know" and then said "And I'm learning stuff! But then I forget it."

I told him that's how it works for me and I have to learn everything twice and that's okay. He was quiet, but I think he was taking it in. This gives me a way to talk about learning with him that might help a lot. Also, maybe I'll buy my picky eater some snacks.

I wish I'd read this …

I just used this on my kid and it worked!!! I asked what he likes best about his summer program and he said "Nothing."

I asked what he likes least, which I would normally never do, and he said "The snacks." He went on kind of a tirade about gross jerky and wheat crackers and I told him that someone bought that thinking he'd like it, so make sure not to hurt their feelings. He said "I know" and then said "And I'm learning stuff! But then I forget it."

I told him that's how it works for me and I have to learn everything twice and that's okay. He was quiet, but I think he was taking it in. This gives me a way to talk about learning with him that might help a lot. Also, maybe I'll buy my picky eater some snacks.

I wish I'd read this sooner, but no time like the present!

Nikko reviewed The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D.

Review of 'The Whole-Brain Child' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Started off really strong but by the end some of the insights had begun to feel a bit repetitive. I do feel like it's something I'll refer back to from time to time.

marksutherland reviewed The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D.

Review of 'The Whole-Brain Child' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Interesting book which is fundamentally about trying to achieve "integration" of the brain to help resolve crises and encourage development. They lean heavily on the left/right model of the brain and other divisions of neurology and most of the strategies are about bridging these divisions one way or another. A lot of it lines up with other modern parenting advice, so while there's nothing has about this book, I'm not sure I learned much I hadn't already heard elsewhere.

protomattr reviewed The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D.

Review of 'The Whole-Brain Child' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Lots of useful ways to approach parenting, and life in general, based on recognizing the many facets of the brain and engaging the proper parts at the appropriate time. I really enjoyed the final chapter about the brain being a social organ. The writing is pretty standard fare for this genre, casual and full of anecdotes, but this works well and is nicely augmented by cartoons and handy quick references. I have a feeling this is a book I'll return to often as my children grow.