One thing I often hear from parents is that while there seem to be at least a good handful of books about the Early Years (0-aged 7) child, there does not seem to be that many books about development, parenting, and discipline for the older child. So, today, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite titles regarding development for the older child.
General, Ages 7-14:
- The Gesell Institute Books cover up to age 14
- A Guide To Child’s Health by Michaela Glocker and Wolfgang Goebel has sections regarding all ages
- Phases of Childhood by Bernard Lievegoed
- The Developing Child by Willi Aeppli
- Raising A Daughter ; Raising A Son by Don and Jeanne Elium
Specific to the Nine Year Change:
- Encountering the Self by Hermann Koepke
- I am Different From You by Peter Selg
Specific to the Twelve Year Change:
- On the Threshold of Adolescence by Hermann Koepke
Specific to Teens:
- Between Form and Freedom by Betty Staley
- The Teenaged Brain by Frances E. Jensen, MD
- Becoming Peers by DeAnna L’am (for girls)
- Education for Adolescents by Rudolf Steiner
- Kinesthetic Learning for Adolescents: Learning Through Movement and Eurythmy by Leonore Russell (while a eurythmy book, has great general insight into the stages of the teenaged years!)
Tools to Help in the Teenaged Years:
These books can be very helpful earlier in terms of your own education and development, but I would not expect the techniques in these works to work well until children develop cause and effect reasoning during the twelve year change. Read them for yourself and feel free to disagree.
- Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
- How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk – by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Liberated Parents, Liberated Children: Your Guide to A Happier Family by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
For the Big Picture of Life and Parenting:
- The Human Life by George and Gisela O’Neil
- Authentic Parenting: A Four Temperaments Guide To Understanding Your Child and Yourself by Bari Borsky and Judith Haney
- Adventures in Parenting by Rachel Ross
There are many wonderful books I have also gone through chapter by chapter on this blog; if you go to the “book reviews” button in the header bar and click, you will see a drop down menu with many different book titles.
Many blessings,
Carrie
The Parenting Passageway 
Wonderful list, thank you.
Oh gosh, thank you so much for this post! I have been searching around recently for this topic of books as well. It has been recommended to me before, from a Waldorf teacher in Kansas, to read The temperaments & the adult-child relationship by Kristie Burns. He had the parents of his class read it that year.
Also, asked Cynthia Aldinger of LifeWays recently & among several suggestions, Between Form & Freedom was one of her all time favorites. Between the two of you recommending it, the book must be well worth it :).
She also lent me I Am Different From You and I have to say I love it. I am really into Peter Selg’s books recently & this one is a gem. Hard work to really grasp at, I recommend reading any of his work twice through. They are generally shorter books but dense in thought. Very worth it.
Hi Carrie, I am wondering if there is a reason you did not include any books by J C Pearce, like Magical Child to Magical Teen? Just curious because I respect your viewpoint.
Thanks,
Carrie
Hi Other Carrie!
Just mainly because I haven’t read them and I don’t own a copy…guess I will have to put those on my reading list. They have been on the periphery of my list for a long time now …too many books, too little time!
Blessings,
Carrie
Yes, I have found the same issue with books and info for older children. My daughter just turned 8 and I still find myself reading early childhood books, thinking I need to find stuff that keeps up with her changes and development. Thank you for this info!
Thank you Carrie. I have twins boy/girl on the verge of 12 years old and the only book I could find was the 10 to 14 year old by Louise Bates Ames. This list will help a lot. Plus I love the publications ” Questions Young People Ask: Answers that work vol 1&2 from http://www.jw.org these are great not only for development, but in helping our young ones to think and reason on growing up. Again thank you for your list. I have really appreciated your blog these past few years.
Carrie, Have you read Rhythms of Learning by Roberto Trostli? It is another good, which blends Steiner’s talks on teaching, child development, subjects, etc.
Yes, that is a good one as well, Nicola.
Blessings,
Carrie
I found Between Form and Freedom helpful. Now I have a “Waldorf” child in college. I am LOVING watching her grow during this stage of life. She’s about to turn 19 and what a change.