Ep #51: Finding success with Preventive Teaching

One of the best things parents can do in preparing kids for success is to use the behavior skill of Preventive Teaching. Preventive Teaching is just like it sounds. We are preventing problems ahead of time by teaching what behavior we expect. Preventive Teaching is used to address both negative and positive behavior.   Preparing a child for new situations is very comforting as it signals that you are watching out for them and giving them what they need to handle unfamiliar situations. Children need help, especially when dealing with new situations. Using Preventive Teaching allows them to not be fearful and to find success.    Preventive Teaching is used to address all sorts of situations and outcomes.   Preventive Teaching focuses on what you want your child to be doing instead of what you don’t want your child to be doing. It’s a positive behavior management system. When we point out all the “Don’ts,” we are focusing on the behavior we don’t want. If we want our child to stop throwing legos, telling them, “Don’t throw legos,” is not as effective as, “We need to keep the legos in our hands when playing with them.” While both do the same thing, the latter focuses on the positive behavior that you want to be repeated.   Preventive Teaching is powerful and positive as it teaches children how to achieve success in a proactive way. This allows parents to address behavior effectively, whether that’s in the antecedent, behavior, or consequence stage.   Preventing problems takes less work than dealing with significant behavior issues.   Learn Preventive Teaching by visiting Smarter Parenting: https://www.smarterparenting.com/lesson/view/preventive-teaching/   For full show notes visit: https://www.smarterparenting.com/adhd-parenting-podcast/