The child psychology is a branch of psychology that is dedicated to the study of the child and its physical, motor, cognitive, perceptive, affective and social development, from both normality and abnormality.

Therefore, deals with different themes, such as: learning, linguistic development or the psychopathology characteristic of these ages, among other issues.

Fully recommended books on child psychology

Child psychology, therefore, does not only interest psychologists, but this knowledge is also useful for parents or teachers . The latter spend many hours surrounded by children, and the knowledge of how the minds of the youngest ones work, what is the best way to relate to them or what are the best teaching methods they should apply can be really useful for them. Childhood is a time of change and no one is born an expert in this area. That is why this field of research and intervention helps to understand the mental processes and behavioural styles typical of the youngest.

There are many books that have compiled the knowledge that the different investigations have contributed over the years. Whether you are a psychologist, teacher or parent, in this article you will find 12 books on child psychology that will be very useful to you .

1. Love without fear of spoiling (Yolanda GonzĂĄlez)

This book by psychologist Yolanda GonzĂĄlez, an expert in the theory of attachment , deals with many of the problems that parents encounter when raising their children.

Especially for mothers, it deals with issues such as pregnancy, natural childbirth, breastfeeding and the life circumstances of the first years of life. A great work, written in a very clear and pleasant way, that provides tools for better understanding of how we can better educate our children.

  • Buy it here.

2. Look at me, feel me (Cristina Cortés)

This book focuses on the theme of child attachment, and how it affects both the mental development of children and the relational dynamics they learn when interacting with others. In its pages, attachment is explained and described as a protective fabric in which children grow physically and psychologically in a balance between freedom and protection , and always in contact with affection and love.

In its chapters we see developed with a narrative format how the good attachment is formed through the history of Eneko, from its gestation until it reaches 7 years of age, and how psychotherapeutic intervention can help in cases where discomfort arises in this aspect.

This is a very good book on child psychology for those who are interested in understanding the implications that attachment has both in daily life and in the therapeutic management of crises which, if not properly worked through, can give rise to disorders. On the other hand, it explains how EMDR therapy helps to correct dysfunctional elements of the type of attachment that one has.

Its author, Cristina Cortés Vinegra, is a psychologist and psychotherapist, and directs the Centro de Psicología Vitaliza, in Pamplona.

  • To buy this book or learn more about it, click here.

3. Basic Mini Guide for Parents in Distress (Miguel Ángel Rizaldos)

One of the books in Child Psychology that goes to the practical. It is a selection of texts written by the psychologist Miguel Ángel Rizaldos, thought from the combined perspective of his experience as a therapist and as a father , which give answers to many of the recurrent doubts of those who take care of their children at home.

A very good option for those who are looking for simple, everyday-oriented explanations on a subject as important as the education and care of children.

  • To learn more about this work, click here.

4. Handbook of Educational Psychology: For Teachers of Infant and Primary Education (Various authors)

This work is ideal for teachers of nursery and primary schools . It is a theoretical-practical text, written by several authors, that provides teachers with a framework of reference in the psychology of the first years of schooling.

The text reviews different variables (cognitive, metacognitive, affective, etc.) and factors that influence learning, and provides the opportunity to learn about different strategies useful for the design of teaching situations. The text revolves around a personal, social and cultural perspective.

  • You can easily buy it through this link.

5. Happy upbringing (Rosa Jové)

Rosa Jové is a psychologist who has managed to write possibly the most practical book on this list . Without a doubt, it is a recommendable book full of wisdom, which is written so that the reader finds it entertaining, and talks about subjects such as valuing the child as an individual, respecting him or her, understanding his or her demands and accompanying him or her during the first stages of life.

It is a text that opens the mind of the parents, and among the contents it is possible to find subjects as interesting as: tantrums, jealousy or the relational styles of the parents. Children are seen from a positive viewpoint and not as little tyrants.

  • Buy it here.

6. How to Talk So Your Children Will Listen to You and How to Listen So Your Children Will Talk to You (Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish)

This work has been a real best-seller and has given much to talk about thanks to its great success . People usually think that we listen to others, but many times our needs predominate over others.

This book helps to really listen and not just hear, always from the father-son relationship. In the text, the authors leave us advice and tools to facilitate the work of active listening.

  • You can get it here.

7. Far from the Tree: Stories of Parents and Children Who Have Learned to Love Each Other (Andrew Solomon)

Without a doubt, a book different from most and impressive in its content . This is an inspiring text and a real lesson for life, which touches on a subject as delicate as the relationship between parents and a disabled child.

Throughout its ten chapters, the author reviews topics such as down syndrome, hearing deficits, autism spectrum disorders or schizophrenia. To write it, the author has followed closely more than 300 families with these characteristics. A beautiful book that you can’t miss.

  • Buy it here.

8. Child and Youth Emotional Intelligence: Exercises to Cultivate Inner Strength in Children and Youth (Linda Lantieri)

Emotional intelligence (EI) is key to our well-being, which is why this concept has become so popular in recent years. It is necessary to educate children with EI from an early age, to help them manage their emotions correctly, not to be afraid of them and to relate better to other people.

Educating emotionally in the present means a better future for our children . This is a practical guide to make it easier for parents to do this. The book also contains an audio guide by Daniel Goleman, the person who popularized this concept, in which you can listen to and practice different beneficial exercises.

  • Buy it here.

9. Manual of Clinical Psychology for Children and Adolescents: General disorders (Several authors)

This text is intended for clinical psychologists who want to know more about the different psychopathologies that children may present at this age. The psychological problems of childhood and adolescence are of great importance, although historically they have not played a major role.

Psychological science has made great advances in recent times in this area, and in this text it is possible to find a great deal of this knowledge. This work brings together the work of several internationally renowned researchers in this field, always from a current perspective.

  • Buy it here.

10. Learning to Educate (Naomi Aldort)

This text deals with the influence of parents in the development of their children , and how these can either favour the correct development or, on the contrary, be an obstacle, for example, by destroying their self-esteem.

Parents are role models and also the most important people in the child’s life. With knowledge, it is possible to educate better and help children to develop in a happy and healthy way. Here you will find the way to do it.

  • Buy it at this link.

11. For your own sake (Alice Miller)

“For Your Own Good”, is a book written by Alice Miller, a successful psychotherapist. This is a book about child abuse, a controversial subject for which few psychologists have raised their voice or gone into depth on this subject and the effects these behaviours have on children.

Children are not allowed to run away or defend themselves from these acts, and must suppress and repress their emotions and suffering, which in the future may come in the form of strong emotional shocks. A tough but necessary book.

  • Buy it here.

12. The Child’s Brain (Daniel J. Sieguel and Tinja Payne)

A book that, although not very long, is surprisingly complete. It explains many of the concepts that need to be mastered in order to understand the logic by which the mind of the youngest operates, and what this implies in parental care or education in general.

  • If you’re interested, you can get it here.