The director of the acclaimed Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic distills his 30 years of work with children into a step-by-step method for parents. Includes a bound-in DVD featuring effective tips for common behavioral problems.

Reviews

No argument: plenty of parents will appreciate this advice from the director of Yale's Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic. With a six-city tour. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Kazdin, director of the Yale Parenting Center and Conduct Clinic as well as president of the American Psychological Association, claims his method works with no pills, no therapy and no contest of wills. Instead, Kazdin uses a practical, science-based method of dealing with behavioral problems in children that relies on positive reinforcement and a reward system. Kazdin doesn't dwell on the scientific research (it seems the reader must trust him on this), though he claims his method works about 80% of the time with serious problems and therefore should have even greater success with everyday behavior glitches. He outlines a plan to help parents focus on the "positive opposite" (in other words, what they want the child to do) and then takes them step-by-step through a process of praise and reward. Though Kazdin's approach seems complicated at first, his easygoing and often humorous tone gently guides readers through an array of problem scenarios, including bedtime, tantrums, grocery shopping with a younger child, getting ready for the school day and homework. The author promises long-lasting results for a temporary investment in his practical, positive method; parents may be well rewarded if they give it a try. (Jan.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.