Dr. Alan E. Kazdin
The Kazdin Method® of Parenting
Flexibility in your parenting can be very important. While most of us consider ourselves to be flexible, so much of parenting seems to require NOT being flexible, so let us consider how this could work. Raising children seems to require that a parent has fixed rules that should not be compromised. So many issues, such [...]
As the new year is beginning, many of us begin to think about what changes we can make in our lives. Parenting is such an important job, and we often hope that we are being the best parents we can be. Punishment for misbehavior comes so naturally to us. We barely even think about it [...]
Clinicians working with families and children are often faced with the tall order of helping improve school problem behaviors. It is a long school day with many factors and many different people involved. One way to tackle this seemingly impossible task is to use the very effective tool of simulation. Simulation involves role-playing a scenario, [...]
It is that time of year again. The time when we trade days filled with camp, trips, and late bed times for structure, homework, and early wake ups. Although many parents are often relieved to get the year started, the transition back to school may not be easy for children or parents. As you child [...]
Summer is a great time to brush up on your professional skills. Let's review a key concept of Parent Management Training that you can use with all the parents you see. Praise!! When you teach parents to effectively praise their children for behaviors they would like to strengthen, be sure the following components are included. [...]
Be down with down time. There is so much structure and rushing around during the school year. Allow summer to include some down time for your children. Make family time. Summer is a great opportunity to create some family time. Do something together as a family. Take a bike ride, go to the beach, or [...]
School is out for the summer and everyone is ready for a much needed break. During the school months, getting children up and out of the house on time, getting homework done, and so on is hectic. Summer can be a welcomed and valuable break from these struggles, but of course has its own challenges [...]
A common concern of parents is that their child is engaging in too much video game or TV time. Many families have televisions, computers, tablets, and video game systems in their homes to complicate the problem. When working with families to structure screen time, don't advise them to take all of it away, rather work [...]
Myth: The therapist should focus on and problem solve what the parent is doing wrong in order to change it. When working with parents of children with behavioral difficulties, you may want to hash out some things that the parent is doing wrong and try to fix those things. A better way to help is [...]
You love your children and often enjoy their lively and silly presence. Sometimes, however, they can exhibit annoying behaviors. If you could only get rid of some of these irritating habits, maybe life would be a little easier at home. Contrary to what most people think, the child is not being manipulative, mean, or [...]
