What Every Parent Needs to Know: A Psychologist's Guide to Raising Happy, Nurtured Children

What Every Parent Needs to Know: A Psychologist's Guide to Raising Happy, Nurtured Children explores key stages in child development and sets out parenting strategies informed by education and neuroscience. Drawing on the latest research into child brain development, it connects scientific findings with the real-life situations parents commonly face.

Written by Margot Sunderland, Director of Education at the Centre for Child Mental Health, and incorporating research from Professor Jaak Panksepp, who studied the emotional brain for over 30 years, the book presents evidence-based guidance rather than personal opinion. It combines explanations of how a child’s brain works with anatomical illustrations, then uses case studies and Q and As to show how the science can be applied day to day.

Key details

• Author: Margot Sunderland
• Includes research from Professor Jaak Panksepp
• Incorporates anatomical illustrations, case studies, and Q and As
• Covers strategies from newborn sleep training to supporting a 12-year-old
• Addresses separation, anxiety, and social development
• New edition with additional material on child mental health

Synopsis

This guide examines current research on child brain development and translates it into practical approaches for everyday parenting. It explains the science with detailed information and anatomical illustrations, then applies it through case studies and Q and As.

Strategies range from sleep training a newborn to soothing a 12-year-old, with discussion of separation, anxiety, and social development. It also includes advice for parents on looking after themselves, alongside new material on child mental health in this edition.