Create Yours

Top 120 Daniel J. Siegel Quotes (2025 Update)

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioural consequences.”

1. “Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioural consequences.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Featured in: Encouraging Quotes for Students, Quotes About Kids, Parenting Quotes

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “When we begin to know ourselves in an open and self-supportive way, we take the first step to encourage our children to know themselves.”

2. “When we begin to know ourselves in an open and self-supportive way, we take the first step to encourage our children to know themselves.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “From early infancy, it appears that our ability to regulate emotional states depends upon the experience of feeling that a significant person in our life is simultaneously experiencing a similar state of mind.”

3. “From early infancy, it appears that our ability to regulate emotional states depends upon the experience of feeling that a significant person in our life is simultaneously experiencing a similar state of mind.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows.”

4. “Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “You don’t have to get stuck in a negative experience. You don’t have to be a victim to external events, or internal emotions. You can use your mind to take charge of how you feel, and how you act.”

5. “You don’t have to get stuck in a negative experience. You don’t have to be a victim to external events, or internal emotions. You can use your mind to take charge of how you feel, and how you act.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “As children develop, their brains “mirror” their parent’s brain. In other words, the parent’s own growth and development, or lack of those, impact the child’s brain. As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well. That means that integrating and cultivating your own brain is one of the most loving and generous gifts you can give your children.”

6. “As children develop, their brains “mirror” their parent’s brain. In other words, the parent’s own growth and development, or lack of those, impact the child’s brain. As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well. That means that integrating and cultivating your own brain is one of the most loving and generous gifts you can give your children.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “For a child or an adult, it’s extremely powerful to hear someone say, “I get you. I understand. I see why you feel this way.” This kind of empathy disarms us.”

7. “For a child or an adult, it’s extremely powerful to hear someone say, “I get you. I understand. I see why you feel this way.” This kind of empathy disarms us.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Mindfulness is a form of mental activity that trains the mind to become aware of awareness itself and to pay attention to one’s own intention.”

8. “Mindfulness is a form of mental activity that trains the mind to become aware of awareness itself and to pay attention to one’s own intention.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “What you practice with intention creates a repeated state that will then become a trait that can work in the background without your effort or conscious energy.”

9. “What you practice with intention creates a repeated state that will then become a trait that can work in the background without your effort or conscious energy.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “The human mind is a relational and embodied process that regulates the flow of energy and information.”

10. “The human mind is a relational and embodied process that regulates the flow of energy and information.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Making sense of a past that made no sense is opening to the sensations of the past and putting them together now to see how they impacted you then, and how you can free yourself to live the life you want now. That’s why making sense makes so much integrative sense. We cannot change the past, but we can change how we understand the way it has impacted us and how we liberate ourselves in the present to free ourselves for the future.”

11. “Making sense of a past that made no sense is opening to the sensations of the past and putting them together now to see how they impacted you then, and how you can free yourself to live the life you want now. That’s why making sense makes so much integrative sense. We cannot change the past, but we can change how we understand the way it has impacted us and how we liberate ourselves in the present to free ourselves for the future.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.”

12. “Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Too often we forget that “discipline” really means “to teach” – not “to punish.” A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioral consequences. When we teach mindsight, we take moments of conflict and transform them into opportunities for learning, skill building, and brain development.”

13. “Too often we forget that “discipline” really means “to teach” – not “to punish.” A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioral consequences. When we teach mindsight, we take moments of conflict and transform them into opportunities for learning, skill building, and brain development.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “For “full” emotional communication, one person needs to allow his state of mind to be influenced by that of the other.”

14. “For “full” emotional communication, one person needs to allow his state of mind to be influenced by that of the other.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “One reason big feelings can be so uncomfortable for small children is that they don’t view those emotions as temporary.”

15. “One reason big feelings can be so uncomfortable for small children is that they don’t view those emotions as temporary.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “As children develop, their brains “mirror” their parent’s brain. In other words, the parent’s own growth and development, or lack of those, impact the child’s brain. As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well.”

16. “As children develop, their brains “mirror” their parent’s brain. In other words, the parent’s own growth and development, or lack of those, impact the child’s brain. As parents become more aware and emotionally healthy, their children reap the rewards and move toward health as well.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Adolescence is not a period of being “crazy” or “immature.” It is an essential time of emotional intensity, social engagement, and creativity.”

17. “Adolescence is not a period of being “crazy” or “immature.” It is an essential time of emotional intensity, social engagement, and creativity.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “While the days of parenting may seem so long, the years are so short.”

18. “While the days of parenting may seem so long, the years are so short.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “The healthy move to adulthood is toward interdependence, not complete “do-it-yourself” isolation.”

19. “The healthy move to adulthood is toward interdependence, not complete “do-it-yourself” isolation.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Connection means that we give our kids our attention, that we respect them enough to listen to them, that we value their contribution to problem solving, and that we communicate to them that we’re on their side – whether we like the way they’re acting or not.”

20. “Connection means that we give our kids our attention, that we respect them enough to listen to them, that we value their contribution to problem solving, and that we communicate to them that we’re on their side – whether we like the way they’re acting or not.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “I’m too angry to have a helpful conversation right now, so I’m going to take some time to calm down, and then we’ll talk in a bit.”

21. “I’m too angry to have a helpful conversation right now, so I’m going to take some time to calm down, and then we’ll talk in a bit.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Mindfulness has never met a cognition it didn’t like.”

22. “Mindfulness has never met a cognition it didn’t like.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “What do you really want for your children? What qualities do you hope they develop and take into their adult lives?”

23. “What do you really want for your children? What qualities do you hope they develop and take into their adult lives?”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Writing in a journal activates the narrator function of our minds. Studies have suggested that simply writing down our account of a challenging experience can lower physiological reactivity and increase our sense of well-being, even if we never show what we’ve written to anyone else.”

24. “Writing in a journal activates the narrator function of our minds. Studies have suggested that simply writing down our account of a challenging experience can lower physiological reactivity and increase our sense of well-being, even if we never show what we’ve written to anyone else.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “But science and experience reveal that with self-reflection and understanding, non-ideal patterns we’ve adopted from our own pasts can be transformed. Be patient with yourself and with your family members. With kindness and understanding, to yourself and to others, change can be nurtured and good things can emerge.”

25. “But science and experience reveal that with self-reflection and understanding, non-ideal patterns we’ve adopted from our own pasts can be transformed. Be patient with yourself and with your family members. With kindness and understanding, to yourself and to others, change can be nurtured and good things can emerge.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of being.”

26. “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of being.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “You can do your kids a lot of good simply by asking, “What are some ideas you have to make it better and solve this problem?”

27. “You can do your kids a lot of good simply by asking, “What are some ideas you have to make it better and solve this problem?”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “The best predictor of a child’s security of attachment is not what happened to his parents as children, but rather how his parents made sense of those childhood experiences.”

28. “The best predictor of a child’s security of attachment is not what happened to his parents as children, but rather how his parents made sense of those childhood experiences.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Our state of mind can turn even neutral comments into fighting words, distorting what we hear to fit what we fear.”

29. “Our state of mind can turn even neutral comments into fighting words, distorting what we hear to fit what we fear.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Children are much more apt to share and talk while building something, playing cards, or riding in the car than when you sit down and look them right in the face and ask them to open up.”

30. “Children are much more apt to share and talk while building something, playing cards, or riding in the car than when you sit down and look them right in the face and ask them to open up.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “As parents, we are wired to try to save our children from any harm and hurt, but ultimately we can’t. They’ll fall down, they’ll get their feelings hurt, and they’ll get scared and sad and angry. Actually, it’s often these difficult experiences that allow them to grow and learn about the world. Rather than trying to shelter our children from life’s inevitable difficulties, we can help them integrate those experiences into their understanding of the world and learn from them.”

31. “As parents, we are wired to try to save our children from any harm and hurt, but ultimately we can’t. They’ll fall down, they’ll get their feelings hurt, and they’ll get scared and sad and angry. Actually, it’s often these difficult experiences that allow them to grow and learn about the world. Rather than trying to shelter our children from life’s inevitable difficulties, we can help them integrate those experiences into their understanding of the world and learn from them.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “When neurons fire together, they grow new connections between them. Over time, the connections that result from firing lead to “rewiring” in the brain. This.”

32. “When neurons fire together, they grow new connections between them. Over time, the connections that result from firing lead to “rewiring” in the brain. This.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Curiosity is the cornerstone of effective discipline.”

33. “Curiosity is the cornerstone of effective discipline.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Inviting our thoughts and feelings into awareness allows us to learn from them rather than be driven by them.”

34. “Inviting our thoughts and feelings into awareness allows us to learn from them rather than be driven by them.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “For example, one of the most powerful ways we connect with our children is simply by physically touching them.”

35. “For example, one of the most powerful ways we connect with our children is simply by physically touching them.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Consider the difference between saying “I am sad” and “I feel sad.” Similar as those two statements may seem, there is actually a profound difference between them. “I am sad” is a kind of self-definition, and a very limiting one. “I feel sad” suggests the ability to recognize and acknowledge a feeling, without being consumed by it. The focusing skills that are part of mindsight make it possible to see what is inside, to accept it, and in the accepting to let it go, and, finally, to transform it.”

36. “Consider the difference between saying “I am sad” and “I feel sad.” Similar as those two statements may seem, there is actually a profound difference between them. “I am sad” is a kind of self-definition, and a very limiting one. “I feel sad” suggests the ability to recognize and acknowledge a feeling, without being consumed by it. The focusing skills that are part of mindsight make it possible to see what is inside, to accept it, and in the accepting to let it go, and, finally, to transform it.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “There’s no question about it: consistency is crucial when it comes to raising and disciplining our children.”

37. “There’s no question about it: consistency is crucial when it comes to raising and disciplining our children.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Sherlock Holmes: the Arthur Conan Doyle character who declared, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”

38. “Sherlock Holmes: the Arthur Conan Doyle character who declared, “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Rather than trying to shelter our children from life’s inevitable difficulties, we can help them integrate those experiences into their understanding of the world and learn from them. How our kids make sense of their young lives is not only about what happens to them but also about how their parents, teachers, and other caregivers respond.”

39. “Rather than trying to shelter our children from life’s inevitable difficulties, we can help them integrate those experiences into their understanding of the world and learn from them. How our kids make sense of their young lives is not only about what happens to them but also about how their parents, teachers, and other caregivers respond.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “If you have a fight with yourself, who can win?”

40. “If you have a fight with yourself, who can win?”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Imagine the last time you felt really sad or angry or upset. How would it have felt if someone you love told you, “You need to calm down,” or “It’s not that big a deal”? Or what if you were told to “go be by yourself until you’re calm and ready to be nice and happy”? These responses would feel awful, wouldn’t they? Yet these are the kinds of things we tell our kids all the time. When we do, we actually increase their internal distress, leading to more acting out, not less.”

41. “Imagine the last time you felt really sad or angry or upset. How would it have felt if someone you love told you, “You need to calm down,” or “It’s not that big a deal”? Or what if you were told to “go be by yourself until you’re calm and ready to be nice and happy”? These responses would feel awful, wouldn’t they? Yet these are the kinds of things we tell our kids all the time. When we do, we actually increase their internal distress, leading to more acting out, not less.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “In a brain scan, relational pain – that caused by isolation during punishment – can look the same as physical abuse. Is alone in the corner the best place for your child?”

42. “In a brain scan, relational pain – that caused by isolation during punishment – can look the same as physical abuse. Is alone in the corner the best place for your child?”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “When your children are feeling upset, a loving touch can calm things down and help you connect, even during moments of high stress.”

43. “When your children are feeling upset, a loving touch can calm things down and help you connect, even during moments of high stress.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Say yes to the feelings, even as you say no to the behavior.”

44. “Say yes to the feelings, even as you say no to the behavior.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Reduce words Embrace emotions Describe, don’t preach Involve your child in the discipline Reframe a no into a conditional yes Emphasize the positive Creatively approach the situation Teach mindsight tools.”

45. “Reduce words Embrace emotions Describe, don’t preach Involve your child in the discipline Reframe a no into a conditional yes Emphasize the positive Creatively approach the situation Teach mindsight tools.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Mental presence is a state of being wide awake and receptive to what is happening, as it is happening in the moment, within us and between the world and us. Presence cultivates happiness.”

46. “Mental presence is a state of being wide awake and receptive to what is happening, as it is happening in the moment, within us and between the world and us. Presence cultivates happiness.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Feelings are not a side component of a life well lived; they are essential ways we live as a whole, embodied being.”

47. “Feelings are not a side component of a life well lived; they are essential ways we live as a whole, embodied being.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Simply put, reactivity cuts off seeing clearly.”

48. “Simply put, reactivity cuts off seeing clearly.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “We must keep in mind that only a part of memory can be translated into the language-based packets of information people use to tell their life stories to others. Learning to be open to many layers of communication is a fundamental part of getting to know another person’s life.”

49. “We must keep in mind that only a part of memory can be translated into the language-based packets of information people use to tell their life stories to others. Learning to be open to many layers of communication is a fundamental part of getting to know another person’s life.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Daniel J. Siegel Quote: “Connection is about walking through the hard times with our children and being there for them when they’re emotionally suffering, just like we would if they scraped their knee and were physically suffering.”

50. “Connection is about walking through the hard times with our children and being there for them when they’re emotionally suffering, just like we would if they scraped their knee and were physically suffering.”

— Daniel J. Siegel

Encouraging Quotes for Students

Encouraging Quotes for Students

Quotes About Kids

Quotes About Kids

Parenting Quotes

Parenting Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes

Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes

PREV 1 2 3 NEXT

Encouraging Quotes for Students

Encouraging Quotes for Students

Quotes About Kids

Quotes About Kids

Parenting Quotes

Parenting Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Motivational Quotes

INSPIRATIONAL SUCCESS MOTIVATIONAL

Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes

Inspirational Entrepreneurship Quotes

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESS INSPIRATIONAL

Positive Quotes

Positive Quotes

Albert Einstein Quotes

Albert Einstein Quotes

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESS INSPIRATIONAL

Steve Jobs Quotes

Steve Jobs Quotes

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESS APPLE

Inspirational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

COURAGE MOTIVATIONAL STRENGTH

Save image...
Permalink
Open in new tab
Copy quote text

Beautiful Wallpapers and Images

We hope you enjoyed our collection of 120 Daniel J. Siegel Quotes.

All the images on this page were created with QuoteFancy Studio.

Use QuoteFancy Studio to create high-quality images for your desktop backgrounds, blog posts, presentations, social media, videos, posters, and more.

Thank you!

Please check your email.