Most child-behavior books are filled with advice that sounds reasonable, fits with what parents already believe about child-rearing, and is — as Dr. Kazdin proves — guaranteed to fail. The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child makes available to parents for the first time Dr. Kazdin's proven program for child behavior management — one backed up by some of the most long-term and respected research devoted to any therapy for children.
Kazdin shatters decades' worth of accumulated myths about managing tantrums, time-outs, punishments fitting the crime, and much more. With the practicality of Ferber and the warmth of Brazelton, Kazdin leads parents through every step of the Kazdin Method in action, including the core principles of positive reinforcement — how to use tone of voice, when and how to touch, how to lead your child in a "practice" session, how to adjust your approach for different-age children, how to involve siblings, and more. The program is temporary, but the results are permanent — for very young children, adolescents, and even beyond.
Includes a bound-in twenty-minute DVD featuring Dr. Kazdin and his staff illustrating key concepts of the Kazdin Method.
This landmark guide to positive parenting replaces guesswork with a concrete, step-by-step plan to:
- Behavior Modification That Works: Learn why common tactics like time-outs and punishment often fail and what evidence-based techniques create lasting change without contests of will.
- The Positive Opposite: Shift your focus from stopping bad behavior to building the good behavior you want to see instead. Dr. Kazdin shows you how to define, practice, and reinforce the actions that lead to a more peaceful home.
- Step-by-Step Practice: Master the details that make all the difference, from the right tone of voice to how to lead your child in a "pretend" practice session that sets them up for real-world success.
- Toddler to Teen Solutions: Adapt the core program for toddlers, school-aged children, and even adolescents. The principles are universal, but the application is tailored to your child’s developmental stage.