When kids show negative behaviors, it’s often because they’re struggling to do what they’re being asked to do. This unfortunately happens a lot in school settings. You may have heard the saying “Kindergarten is the new 1st grade”. Kindergarten used to be focused on play, and its becoming increasingly more academic. When “behavior problems” come…
Category: Motivation and behavior management
EP 042: Re-release: Building discipline and self-management in elementary school through college
When raising kids in elementary school, junior high, and high school, a lot of parents wonder if they’re preparing their kids for what lies ahead in college and adulthood. We can’t look in to a crystal ball and predict the future, but we can bring insights from our own failures and successes to the way…
EP 033: A case against “normal” and “appropriate” behavior
As kids go through the school systems and grow up in general, they’re taught a lot about how to act “appropriately” in different situations. There’s a certain set of rules we’ve deemed to be acceptable, “normal” ways to act. On the contrary, certain behaviors are seen as “inappropriate”, “weird”, or “undesirable” in some way. But…
EP 031: 3 skills kids with ADHD need to overcome procrastination
When kids with ADHD avoid difficult work, it’s easy to assume they have a “behavior problem”, that they don’t care, or that they’re just lazy. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. People with ADHD are wired in a way that makes it hard for them to overcome feelings of overwhelm that lead to…
EP 023: De-escalation strategies for home, school, and community (with DJ Stutz)
Meltdowns and tantrums are a normal part of parenting, but it’s not always easy to get through the day if you aren’t sure how to handle them. That’s why in episode 023, I share the second half of my conversation with DJ Stutz, where we talk about bad parenting advice, building self-esteem, and how to…
EP 022: How to set boundaries and share positive feedback with your child (with DJ Stutz)
Most parents know they should be giving their child praise and encouraging them to explore their interests… But most people don’t realize that making small changes to what you say can make a big difference in your day-to-day life and interactions with your family. That’s why in episode 022, I sit down with early childhood…
EP 007: Positive Reinforcement: Does it really help motivate kids?
When I worked in the school systems, rewards and behavior charts were a common practice. Even in my training to be a therapist, “positive reinforcement” was often a go-to strategy for managing behaviors and motivating kids to do “non-preferred” tasks. The problem was that for a lot of kids it didn’t work. And what was…
EP 002: Improve attention and focus by building these skills
Do you find that using organizers, minimizing distractions, or using rewards just don’t work when it comes to getting your kids to focus? Does getting your kids to follow through with chores, homework, or other daily tasks seem like pulling teeth? If so, you’re going to love this episode. When it comes to getting kids…