13 Best Child Psychology Books

Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson present twelve parenting strategies based on their account of children's brain development. Through explanations, stories, and illustrations, they explore ways to respond to emotions, everyday conflicts, and opportunities for learning.

Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish offer approaches to communicating with children through everyday challenges. Examples and exercises address listening, feelings, cooperation, and conflict, showing how parents can express concerns while respecting a child's perspective and developing understanding.

Piaget and Bärbel Inhelder summarize their account of cognitive development from infancy through adolescence. They examine how perception, language, reasoning, and social understanding change as children actively engage with their surroundings and develop new forms of thought.

Janet Lansbury offers an approach to toddler discipline based on respect, calm leadership, and clear boundaries. Collected articles address tantrums, hitting, biting, and other common challenges, explaining how parents can respond while acknowledging children's feelings and developmental needs.

Linda Lantieri offers age-organized practices for helping children develop emotional awareness and resilience. Designed for parents, educators, and caregivers, the exercises address calming the body, focusing attention, understanding emotions, and strengthening empathy and communication.

Andrew Solomon explores families in which children differ profoundly from their parents. Drawing on interviews across varied identities, disabilities and experiences, he examines acceptance, belonging and the tension between supporting a child's individuality and responding to difficult circumstances.

This child-development textbook combines developmental theories, research across cultures, and practical applications. Organized by topic, it examines children’s learning and social lives, including emotions, attachment, family relationships, peers, moral development, and gender.

Joanna Faber and Julie King adapt their communication approach for adults caring for children ages two to seven. The guide offers practical tools for recognizing feelings, encouraging cooperation, and navigating everyday conflicts while strengthening relationships with young children.

Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson present an approach to discipline that emphasizes connection before redirecting behavior. Examples and illustrations explore how adults can respond to conflict while communicating expectations and helping children understand their feelings and actions.

Peg Dawson and Richard Guare explain executive skills such as planning, organization, attention, and emotional control. Assessments and practical strategies help parents and teachers identify children’s strengths and difficulties and support everyday tasks like homework and chores.

Child psychiatrist Bruce Perry and journalist Maia Szalavitz recount cases involving children affected by severe trauma. Their stories examine how stress influences development and how compassionate care, supportive relationships, and an understanding of the brain can inform recovery.

Ross Greene presents his Collaborative and Proactive Solutions approach to children who struggle with frustration, flexibility and problem solving. The book describes identifying recurring difficulties and working with children to address the problems that precede challenging behavior.

This collection offers 150 recreation-based activities for teens, with instructions, discussion prompts, and simple materials. Games for individuals and groups encourage self-expression, emotional awareness, communication, and reflection on challenges such as stress, bullying, and grief.