I can tell you from over 19 years of experience, that being calm, encouraging, positive, patient, and consistent far outweighs yelling, punishment, and threats in any situation with any child, regardless of what you believe has or hasn’t worked in the past. Research and experience show that positive parenting/teaching strategies win every time and why is that? Just like adults, kids …
Please Don’t Take Away My Recess-A Poem About ADHD
I got in trouble in school today. They took away my recess. They said it was because I couldn’t sit still, but I was feeling so restless. I couldn’t control my body. I wish they’d give me breaks to move. It’s so much easier to concentrate when I’m not forced to sit for an hour or two. Sometimes directions come …
Try These 14 Strategies to Help Children with ADHD Improve Focus and Behavior
Check out these 14 evidence-based strategies and tips for parents and teachers to help students with ADHD.
See This Important Message for All Children
Help your child feel more successful by building confidence and self-esteem with this important message.
How to Use Natural and Logical Consequences to Improve Children’s Behavior
What are Natural Consequences?Natural consequences are consequences that occur naturally as the result of a behavior. For instance, if you were talking and being loud in the movie theater people might yell at you or tell you to be quiet (so other people can hear the movie). If you are hitting your friends, they probably won’t want to play with …
Mommy, Can You See Me?
One day I sat in a doctor’s office waiting for my appointment, while a mother was in the same waiting room with her little boy (around 6 years old). The mother was sitting in a chair looking at her phone while she and her son waited for the doctor to call them in. The little boy tried to interact with …
Move On From an Insult Quickly with These Six Strategies
When someone puts you down, learn how to get over those insults quickly.
Should You Request an Evaluation by a School Psychologist if Your Child Consistently Has Trouble in School?
The contents in this article refer to public schools in the United States. If your child attends private school or school outside of the United States, speak to your child’s school to find out if their policies for addressing the matters discussed in this article are the same or different. Why Would You Request an Evaluation by a School Psychologist? …
Top Five Reasons for Behavior Problems in Kids
This article is meant to be helpful for any adult (teacher, parent, caregiver, etc.) who has a child with behavioral difficulties. Remember, there are no magic answers, and some kids may have challenging behavior no matter what strategies you use. However, most kids respond well to positive behavior strategies and these need to be your first step in trying to …
How to Prevent Temper Tantrums by Changing the Way You Say No
It is often difficult for younger children to accept the word “no.” Older individuals with developmental or emotional disabilities may also have difficulty accepting the word “no.” The word ”no” often leads to temper tantrums, arguing, and/or pleading. When your three-year-old daughter old asks you for more candy after she already had a piece and you say “no” she may …
3 Ways to Use Timers to Encourage Homework and Chore Completion
Sometimes getting children to do chores or complete homework can be a challenging task for the adults in their lives. Timers are an excellent way to motivate your child or student(s) to complete tasks and follow directions. Research and reputable resources consistently indicate the benefits of using timers with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). …
A Story to Teach Kids to Calmly Respond to the Word No
If you have read my articles on positive behavior support, you know that I am not a big fan of simply using the word “no” when it comes to telling kids what they can’t have. Research and my own experiences show that telling kids what they can have instead, empathizing with their feelings, offering choices, and explaining the reason for …
Learn These 7 Strategies to Prevent Wandering and Eloping (Autism & Other Special Needs)
Find out the important facts and strategies for how to prevent and stop wandering and eloping for autism, dementia, and other special needs populations.
Effective Behavior Strategies Cheat Sheet!
There are a lot of strategies when it comes to using positive behavior support. Here is a cheat sheet for you to print out to remember some of the top strategies that you can start using today. In case you have any trouble seeing the text in the image, here is what it says: Show your child/student that you are …
25 Ways to Build Your Child’s Confidence and Social Skills
25 Ways to Build a Child’s Confidence and Social Skills
Try These 18 Break Ideas to Increase Student Participation
Several ideas for teachers to give breaks or “brain breaks” to students in the classroom or virtually to increase motivation.
Parents and Teachers: 5 Important Tips for Children Who Seem Introverted
Are you concerned because your child is not outgoing and has few friends? Do you want your child to spend time with others, instead of sitting alone? Some parents fear that when their kids are alone more than with others, something is wrong. They don’t want their children to be shy or stay away from social interactions. However, they sometimes …