This dissertation investigates Karl Barth's contribution to a theology of the child. The thesis argues that Barth's theology provides substantial resources for extending current theological understandings of the child. In making this argument, the dissertation identifies key concepts, issues and unresolved questions in the Christian theological tradition which a theology of the child must address (Chapter 1). The thesis then analyses Barth's direct theological treatment of the child, firstly, in his significant interpretation of the child as a 'parable' (Chapter 2), and secondly, in his material on the child as a living human person (Chapter 3). In these early chapters the dissertation argues that Barth's theology offers a christological grounding for a theology of the child, as well as important doctrinal comment concerning her. Next, the dissertation provides a 'child-attentive' examination of the wider dogmatic material in the Church Dogmatics, from which is drawn further inferences concerning the child (Chapters 4 & 5). The thesis contends that Barth's christological objectivism is a significant benefit for a theology of the child as it allows the child to be understood as an elect covenant-partner and beloved human creature of God, which is reconciled to God in Jesus Christ, regardless of the child's subjective capacities to respond in faith. Questions and implications concerning the child's subjectivisation by faith of these realities are considered, especially in relation to the prediscretionary child. Preeminently, Barth's theology is found to affirm that God is for the child, in Jesus Christ. Barth's theology also assists in addressing the tradition's unsettled issues regarding the anthropological, hamartiological and soteriological status of the child, as well as parental, ecclesial and state responsibilities towards the child. The dissertation concludes with a summary of the theological proposals for the child that emerge from Barth's theology, and by noting avenues for further research.