11 Best Child Psychology Books for Parents to Read
Child psychology is the study of how children develop emotionally, mentally, and socially, making it crucial for parents to understand in order to support their child's growth and well-being. Our curated list of the top child psychology books offers valuable insights into understanding your child's behavior, emotions, and development.
Explore this list of child psychology books to discover practical tips, strategies, and expert advice on raising happy and healthy children. Enhance your parenting skills and positively impact your child's life by diving into these recommended reads. Start your journey towards becoming a more informed and effective parent today with our carefully selected collection of child psychology books.
Child psychology books for parents
Child psychology studies a child's mental and spiritual development from birth to adolescence (roughly age 12). The first years of life are crucial in a child's personality development.
Parents and teachers help to form the foundations of personal qualities in children between the ages of 0 and 12. These qualities will influence the child's life and behavior throughout life. Parents and educators should read books on child psychology to educate, support, and understand children better.
A child's brain grows rapidly and is quite adaptable, but this development needs favorable conditions. Every child is unique with their own characteristics. Don't compare your child to others or expect ideal behavior and development. Instead, aim to observe them, understand their needs and interests, and help them develop according to their characteristics.
Many child psychology issues are related to parents because they set the tone for a child's future personality. A parent's main task is to create a positive emotional atmosphere. In this environment, children will feel comfortable, develop social skills, form values, and learn cultural norms and behaviors. Kids need to learn through mistakes, with parents offering unwavering support and encouragement rather than criticism.
Child psychology books help parents adapt to a child's arrival, realize and accept their new status, and cope with different parenting challenges.
Child psychology books
Each child is exceptional and has psychological characteristics that can affect their behavior and interaction with others. Understanding these characteristics can help parents better understand their children and interact with them more effectively. And good child psychology books will help provide you with quality knowledge!
Talk to your children more often. This way, you can develop yourself and your child, while learning what's happening inside and around them. Listen actively, and you'll learn to read between the lines, expanding your horizons and theirs. By actively participating in their upbringing in childhood, you are laying the foundation of understanding and trust for many years to come.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish
Who should read How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
The Happiest Toddler on the Block
by Harvey Karp, MD, Paula Spencer
What is The Happiest Toddler on the Block about?
Who should read The Happiest Toddler on the Block
Siblings Without Rivalry
by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish
What is Siblings Without Rivalry about?
Who should read Siblings Without Rivalry
The 5 Love Languages of Children
by Gary Chapman, PhD, Ross Campbell, MD
What is The 5 Love Languages of Children about?
Who should read The 5 Love Languages of Children
No Bad Kids
by Janet Lansbury
What is No Bad Kids about?
Who should read No Bad Kids
The Happiest Baby on the Block
by Harvey Karp, MD
What is The Happiest Baby on the Block about?
Who should read The Happiest Baby on the Block
1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents
by Thomas W. Phelan, PhD
What is 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents about?
Who should read 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents
The Self-Driven Child
by William Stixrud, PhD, Ned Johnson
What is The Self-Driven Child about?
Who should read The Self-Driven Child
No-Drama Discipline
by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
What is No-Drama Discipline about?
Who should read No-Drama Discipline
Have a New Kid by Friday
by Kevin Leman, PhD
What is Have a New Kid by Friday about?
Who should read Have a New Kid by Friday
The Explosive Child
by Ross W. Greene, PhD
What is The Explosive Child about?
Who should read The Explosive Child
Frequently asked questions on child psychology books
What are the five areas of child psychology?
Child psychology covers several main areas that address different aspects of children's development, behavior, and emotions, such as:
Cognitive area — Children's thinking, memory, learning, and problem-solving
Emotional area — Formation of emotions and learning to manage feelings
Social area — Interactions and relationships with other people
Personal area — Development of self-concept and identity
Behavioral area — Environmental influences on a child's actions
What are some classic child psychology books?
Classic child psychology books known worldwide:
'The Psychology of the Child' and 'Language and Thought of the Child' by Jean Piaget explain how children develop their thinking.
'Attachment' by John Bowlby explains why mother-child bonds are vital for emotional development.
'Childhood and Society' by Erik Erikson is about the theory of the eight stages of personality development.
What's the #1 children's book of all time?
J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' is the most famous modern series, and it has revived the love of reading worldwide. Other well-known works include Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's 'The Little Prince,' Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland,' and Astrid Lindgren's 'Pippi Longstocking.'
What should I study if I want to be a child psychologist?
To become a child psychologist, start with studying general and developmental psychology to understand how children's thinking, emotions, and behavior form at different stages.
Master psychodiagnostics, counseling basics, and observation methods to identify children's needs and difficulties. Focus on attachment theories, emotional intelligence development, childhood trauma work, and parent interaction, because these form the heart of child psychology.
What are the best child psychology books?
Among the best books on child psychology are John Gottman and Joan DeClaire's 'Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child,' and Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish's 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk.' Both are practical classics on effective communication without shouting and conflict.
Do parents have a favorite child?
Yes, favoritism exists and is studied quite seriously in parenting psychology. It happens when parents unconsciously or consciously prefer one child over another — often due to temperament, gender, abilities, or shared interests. Parents typically don't recognize this bias, which may be associated with the ease of interaction with this particular child.
What's the most powerful psychology book?
There are many, but here are some of the best:
'Thinking, Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman explains how we think, how we make decisions, and why we often make mistakes. 'How to Win Friends and InfluencePeople' by Dale Carnegie is great for improving interpersonal relationships and communication. And 'On Becoming a Person' by Carl Rogers is a classic.
What's the best parenting book to read?
'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk' by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish is a best-selling parenting book recommended worldwide.
It teaches how to communicate with a child without shouting or punishment, help them express emotions while maintaining boundaries, build trust and cooperation, and educate with love and clarity rather than humiliation.










