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Alan E. Kazdin, PhD, ABPP

Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents. Among many techniques, you will learn how even simple modifications to tone of voice and phrasing can lead to more compliance. The course will also shed light on many parenting misconceptions and ineffective strategies that are routinely used.

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Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents. Among many techniques, you will learn how even simple modifications to tone of voice and phrasing can lead to more compliance. The course will also shed light on many parenting misconceptions and ineffective strategies that are routinely used.

The key to the course is practice. It is not enough to know the strategies; you have to do them to reap the rewards. Using the techniques on a temporary basis will lead to permanent change.

Chances are your parenting is perfectly fine and working the way you would like. But if you have any frustrations with your child or would like improve your effectiveness in changing your child’s behavior, these videos will be a very useful guide.

Subtitles available in Chinese and Spanish.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The ABCs : Part 1 - Antecedents & Behaviors
Module 1 overviews the course structure and outlines the ABC formula for behavior-change programs. The “A” in the ABC stands for Antecedents and covers what to do before the behavior. The “B” represents Behavior and outlines working on the behavior itself - how to shape behavior by breaking it down into doable steps, practice the behavior repeatedly through simulations, and model the behavior. The course kicks off with a “C” (Consequence) because learning how to praise your child in the special way may be the most useful and versatile technique in the series.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches valuable techniques for improving child behavior and fostering effective communication
Provides practical tools that can be immediately applied in the home setting
Backed by scientific research and proven behavior-change strategies
Taught by a leading expert in child and adolescent psychology
Covers advanced techniques for fostering communication with adolescents
Includes a comprehensive guide to common parenting misconceptions and ineffective strategies

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Reviews summary

Effective parenting techniques from yale

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and evidence-based approach to child rearing. Many found the techniques, particularly the ABC model and specific praise, to be extremely effective in managing and shaping their children's behavior. The course content is described as clear and concise, with helpful demonstrations and a focus on actionable strategies. While generally well-received, some learners noted that applying the techniques requires consistent effort and practice and that the content, particularly regarding adolescents, could be less detailed than for younger children. Overall, it is seen as a valuable toolkit for parents seeking positive behavior change.
Success depends on ongoing application.
"It's not a magic fix; you really have to commit to practicing the techniques regularly."
"Success with these methods requires consistent effort and patience."
"Applying the strategies takes discipline, but it pays off."
"The course emphasizes practice, and I found that to be key to seeing results."
Instructor is engaging and credible.
"Dr. Kazdin is an excellent instructor - knowledgeable and easy to listen to."
"His teaching style is engaging and made learning enjoyable."
"The instructor's expertise shines through in every lesson."
"I felt confident in the material because of the instructor's credibility."
Well-explained concepts and structure.
"The material is presented very clearly, making complex ideas easy to understand."
"I appreciated the step-by-step breakdown of the ABC model."
"The lectures are concise and to the point, respecting my time."
"Content is well-structured and easy to follow."
Learners see positive changes in behavior.
"I've seen remarkable improvements in my child's behavior since applying these methods."
"The specific praise technique alone made a huge difference in our home."
"It really works! I was skeptical, but the results speak for themselves."
"My relationship with my child is much better thanks to the strategies learned."
Provides actionable strategies that work.
"The techniques taught are incredibly practical and easy to implement in everyday situations."
"I can actually use these strategies with my kids right away."
"Gave me real tools to handle challenging behaviors."
"The most valuable part was learning practical steps I could take daily."
Some found adolescent section less detailed.
"While great for younger kids, I felt the section on adolescents could have gone into more depth."
"The principles are applicable, but the examples felt more geared towards younger children."
"I was hoping for more specific strategies for dealing with teenage issues."
"The adolescent module was helpful but less extensive than expected."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing with these activities:
Identify behavior change techniques
Examine past experiences with behavior change strategies to identify and understand different techniques and approaches.
Browse courses on Consequences
Show steps
  • Review notes and materials from previous courses or workshops on behavior change.
  • Recall specific situations where you successfully implemented behavior change techniques.
  • Analyze the techniques used in these situations, noting their effectiveness and applicability.
Review 'Positive Discipline' by Jane Nelsen
Read and review Jane Nelsen's 'Positive Discipline' to gain a comprehensive understanding of positive parenting techniques and how to implement them effectively.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book 'Positive Discipline' by Jane Nelsen.
  • Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and practices.
  • Summarize the main principles of positive discipline and how they can be applied in different parenting situations.
Discuss strategies with other parents
Engage with other parents to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from different perspectives on effective parenting techniques.
Show steps
  • Join a parenting support group or online forum.
  • Attend workshops or presentations on parenting strategies.
  • Initiate conversations with other parents in your community, such as at school events or playdates.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Apply ABCs to daily scenarios
Practice implementing the ABC formula to analyze and modify behaviors in real-life situations.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific behavior you want to change.
  • Observe and record the antecedents (triggers) and consequences (outcomes) associated with the behavior.
  • Develop and implement strategies to modify the antecedents or consequences to influence the behavior.
  • Monitor and adjust the strategies as needed based on the observed changes in behavior.
Role-play challenging situations
Practice applying behavior management strategies in realistic scenarios through role-playing to improve your confidence and effectiveness in handling challenging situations.
Browse courses on Conflict Resolution
Show steps
  • Identify common challenging situations or behaviors.
  • Develop a plan for how you would respond using effective behavior management techniques.
  • Role-play the situation with another person, practicing your planned responses.
  • Reflect on the role-playing experience and identify areas for improvement.
Write a personal reflection on parenting
Reflect on your own parenting experiences and insights to reinforce your understanding of effective behavior management and foster your personal growth as a parent.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific parenting situation or challenge you have faced.
  • Write a detailed account of the situation, including your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
  • Analyze the situation using the concepts and techniques learned in the course.
  • Identify lessons learned and how you would approach similar situations in the future.
Develop a family behavior plan
Create a comprehensive plan that outlines specific behavior goals, strategies, and consequences for all family members to promote positive behavior and reduce conflicts.
Browse courses on Behavior Modification
Show steps
  • Identify and prioritize target behaviors for improvement.
  • Establish clear and achievable goals for each target behavior.
  • Develop specific strategies and interventions to address the antecedents and consequences of the behaviors.
  • Identify appropriate consequences and rewards to reinforce desired behaviors and discourage inappropriate ones.
  • Monitor progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Childcare Manager
Everyday Parenting provides a substantive overview of behavior modification strategies that can be immediately implemented in a childcare setting in order to optimize children's behavior in a group, and improve the manager's effectiveness in working with colleagues and directing reports.
Nanny
Through the Everyday Parenting curriculum, a Nanny gains access to techniques, tools, and demonstrations that make it easier to be effective in working with children, and more effective in making positive changes to their behavior, whether in the context of learning or socialization.
Early Childhood Educator
Everyday Parenting enables an Early Childhood Educator to strengthen their toolkit of behavior-change techniques in order to improve the learning environment and effectively interact with children throughout their day.
Pediatric Nurse
Everyday Parenting is an especially useful resource for a Pediatric Nurse by providing simple, action-oriented strategies to working with children and adolescents in a clinical setting, and for fostering open communication with patients and their families.
Family Therapist
The Everyday Parenting curriculum aids a Family Therapist in developing effective strategies to work with children and adolescents, and their families, in order to create a positive home environment, develop healthy behavior patterns, and improve methods of communication.
Social Worker
Everyday Parenting may be helpful to a Social Worker by offering a framework and toolkit of behavior-change techniques that enhance the effectiveness of their work with families, children and adolescents in a variety of settings, including but not limited to schools, clinics, and the home.
Educational Psychologist
Everyday Parenting may be helpful to an Educational Psychologist by providing an introduction to behavior-change techniques that can be implemented in a school setting to improve classroom dynamics, and aid in working with teachers, parents, and children alike.
School Counselor
Everyday Parenting may be helpful to a School Counselor by providing a foundation of behavior-change techniques that can be implemented in working with students in both one-on-one and group settings.
Youth Counselor
Everyday Parenting may be helpful to a Youth Counselor by providing a foundation of behavior-change techniques that can be implemented in working with youth both in individual counseling and group settings.
Special Education Teacher
Everyday Parenting provides a helpful framework and toolkit for a Special Education Teacher to develop positive behavior change programs for students, and improve effectiveness working with colleagues, students, and students' families.
Teacher
Everyday Parenting offers a helpful overview and collection of behavior-change techniques for a Teacher to implement in their classrooms with students, and in communicating with parents regarding their students' behavior.
Psychologist
Everyday Parenting provides a great introduction and toolkit for a Psychologist to use in their work with young clients and their families to help facilitate positive behavior change.
Psychiatrist
Everyday Parenting may be useful to a Psychiatrist when working with clients and their families to help facilitate behavior change.
Child Psychiatrist
Everyday Parenting offers a good overview of behavior-change techniques for Child Psychiatrists to implement in their work with young clients and their families.
Pediatrician
Everyday Parenting offers a good resource for a Pediatrician to draw from when working with children, adolescents, and their families.

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing.
Written by the instructor of the course, this book provides a detailed and practical guide to using the Kazdin Method for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Serves as an in-depth companion to the course material.
Offers a practical and research-based approach to discipline that emphasizes connection, respect, and collaboration. Aligns well with the course's focus on positive parenting techniques and fostering healthy parent-child relationships.
Focuses on communication skills for parents, offering techniques for active listening, respectful language, and problem-solving. Complements the course's emphasis on effective communication in parenting.
A classic parenting book that offers a holistic approach to discipline, emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation between parents and children. Provides additional insights into the emotional and social aspects of child development.
A comprehensive and authoritative resource on the science of parenting. Provides a broad overview of research findings and theoretical perspectives, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities of parenting.
Provides a scientific understanding of brain development and its implications for parenting. Helps parents understand how the brain processes emotions, behaviors, and relationships, enhancing their ability to respond effectively.
Focuses on the importance of empathy, compassion, and resilience in child-rearing. Offers a refreshing perspective on parenting that aligns with the course's emphasis on positive reinforcement and healthy relationships.
Offers specific strategies for managing the challenges of parenting strong-willed children. Provides additional guidance on setting limits, fostering cooperation, and promoting self-regulation.
Specifically addresses the challenges and opportunities of parenting in a digital world. Offers guidance on how to navigate screen time, social media, and other digital interactions while fostering healthy child development.
Provides a comprehensive understanding of children with explosive behaviors and offers practical strategies for managing these behaviors. Especially valuable for parents dealing with intense emotional outbursts in their children.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the psychological development of children and adolescents. Offers a valuable background and theoretical foundation for understanding the principles and techniques discussed in the course.
Focuses on the emotional and psychological well-being of parents, emphasizing the importance of self-care and resilience. Offers insights into how parental well-being impacts the parent-child relationship.
Serves as a comprehensive reference for understanding child development from infancy to adolescence. Provides a strong foundation for understanding the principles and theories discussed in the course.
Provides a mindful and introspective approach to parenting, encouraging parents to examine their own beliefs and behaviors. Offers a deeper understanding of the emotional dynamics between parents and children.

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