How To De-Escalate Your Escalated Child De-escalation begins when we reduce our language! When we think of teaching our child about behavior or social skills, we generally think about explaining it to them, reading a book about it, telling them the rules, or talking about emotions. When it comes to behavior, simply explaining the expectation isn’t sufficient to result in the desired behavior change. Children learn the quickest if they actually practice using the correct behavior when their brains are in a position to learn (we call this “light switch on”).
My Child Doesn’t Respond to Rewards! Capitalize on Your Child’s Natural Motivation! We all need some type of motivation in life, and children are no different. We review the reasons children often do not respond to rewards and share other strategies to motivate your kiddos more naturally. We discuss how to capitalize on natural motivation you are likely already offering, as well as how control and escape can be used in a positive way.
Everything is a Battle or Negotiation With My Child! Tired of your child’s constant arguing, negotiating, or otherwise battling your parenting? If picking battles results in unwanted behaviors, it is likely that you need to pick the battle, but in different way at another time. The battle is indication that your child is missing a skill. We will share strategies to nip this pattern and help you identify WHEN and HOW to pick the right battles!
My Child Constantly Pushes My Boundaries! Teach boundaries to children through choices! When you offer two options does your child say, “Both”, “Neither”, or suggest a 3rd option? The ability to make a choice when presented with options is one of the first behavior regulation skills to develop. Parents need children to pick one of the choices offered to maintain parental boundaries.
Combat Impulsivity by Teaching Your Child Self-Control! We are raising children in a society that puts a high value on things that are fast and convenient. Children rarely have to wait for things. Because of this, we have to teach self-control to children by intentionally creating opportunities for our children to learn to wait for things, accept no for an answer, and move on when it is time to end something fun.
Teach Children to Listen the FIRST Time Tired of repeating yourself? Feel like your children only listen when you raise your voice? First, we review the reasons children do not listen. Then we share effective, yet simple strategies to teach your child to listen the FIRST time (most of the time).
Solve Your Child’s Sleep Disruptions! Did you know that parents who receive sleep education before a child is 3 months old report smoother roads than those who lack this education? There are 6 common sleep disruptions in early childhood and most children experience more than one simultaneously, which means that any sleep plan NEEDS to address EVERY reason the child’s sleep is disrupted. Sleep problems don’t have to be the norm…whether your child is 3 months or 3 years of age!
My Child Avoids (Almost) Everything! Does your child tend to avoid or control things? It’s important to address this behavior early on, before it becomes ingrained and truly problematic.
My Child Delays, Dawdles, One-More-Minutes, And Then Still Screams When It’s Time To End Something! Don‘t cover up this missing skill! Teach your child the crucial skill of pausing or ending preferred activities! Did you know there are 3 self-control skills/behaviors involved in a successful transition? Learn what those 3 behaviors are and how to teach your child. (Audio only)
I Expect My Child to Obey and Show Respect Expectation is not a teaching strategy! You can expect your child to learn to swim, or ride a bike, but if you don’t provide the opportunity to practice, your child will not learn those physical skills. The same goes for behavior. Your child needs to practice the correct behavior with help, and be given ample opportunities to continue to practice the correct behavior.
Why Ignoring Your Child’s Unwanted Behavior Doesn’t Work Behavior always serves a purpose or children wouldn’t continue to use it. Sometimes children use their behavior to get stuff like toys, treats, information, communication, or attention. Sometimes they use their behavior to get out of stuff they don’t want to do or things that are difficult for them. “Only” ignoring rarely works, even if attention is one of the reasons for unwanted behavior!
Don’t Teach the ABC’s During a Tantrum! So often we try to correct unwanted behavior and teach the new behavior “in the heat of the moment.” The brain isn’t wired to learn new information when it is firing. In fact, it is designed to actively block any input to PROTECT the child who doesn’t yet have all the skills to begin with. (Audio only)
How Can I Help My Child At School When It Doesn’t Happen At Home? It can be hard as a parent to understand why a child has difficulty at school but doesn’t have that same difficulty at home. Parents may learn what pushes children’s buttons and inadvertently avoid or accommodate those situations. Teachers or coaches cannot be as flexible or accommodate in the same way because the environments are very different. We can create opportunities at home to teach those missing skills.
Everyone Says This Behavior Is Normal, But I’m Struggling to Parent My Toddler! When “normal” childhood behavior becomes a pattern such that you aren’t enjoying time with your child anymore, it isn’t normal! It is a learned pattern of behavior. The longer your child practices unwanted behavior, the better they get at it. Teach your child during the younger years to prevent patterns of unwanted behavior as your child enters school age.
My Child’s Whining Is Like Nails On A Chalkboard! Do you find yourself saying, “Use your words!” when your child is whining? But this doesn’t actually result in your child using their words more appropriately? Or maybe it works in the moment, but you are tired of repeating this day in, day out? We will describe ways to teach your child to use words, instead of just telling them to do so and expecting behavior change. (Audio only)
Prepare Siblings For Baby’s Arrival Wondering how to help your little one adjust to the new sibling who is on the way? Or maybe the transition with the first new sibling didn’t go so well and you’re looking for a little help this time around. We’ve got you covered!
Moving From Picky Eater To Peaceful Eater Does your child live off of chicken nuggets and grilled cheese? Can’t seem to get any veggies in the diet? It doesn’t have to be this way. Learn how to overcome picky eating in your home.
Strategies to Combat Burnout For Working Parents Did you know that burnout is now recognized in the medical community as a syndrome that precedes other disorders and diseases? Do you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet the constant demands of your personal and professional life? We share evidence-based strategies to manage the personal and professional responsibilities of working parents.
I’ve Tried Everything! Typical Parenting Doesn’t Work With My Child! Do you feel like you’ve tried EVERYTHING to improve your child’s behavior but nothing seems to be working? In this workshop, we discuss how behavior is as unique as your child and requires a thorough assessment of WHY your child uses their unwanted behavior. When we understand why they use unwanted behavior, we then match our plan to resolve that pattern of behavior with the reason to achieve lasting improvement!