·         Externalizes process (not the child who is acting out, it's the character) using colors, facial expressions and age appropriate questions from YOU!

·         For children under 3, use your "person" on a regular basis showing the different body parts on both the tool and on them.

·         Act out the behavior and exaggerate your own facial expression and  tone of voice.

·         When the child does something (either positive or negative) bring out the tool quickly to make association. Keep your language simple and clap for positive behaviors, and have a neutral yet firm tone for negative behaviors.

·         Be specific yet simple when giving child feedback ("Yay, hugging and kissing are nice!! Good Job! No kicking Mommy, that's a no no. If you do that again, you don't get dessert after dinner"). After feedback, show the correlation on the tool so the child can better process what happened.

·         Children in the 3 1/2 to 5 range respond well when you ask more probing questions:

o   Which child would they rather have a play date with?

o   Why do they think No No Joe/Jen has a Band-aid on their knee?

o   Which child will get a reward, and which will get a consequence?

·         Act out different behaviors and how to self correct - take turns and encourage a "game" atmosphere!

·         BRING THIS WITH YOU EVERYWHERE! IT WILL DO NO GOOD SITTING IN YOUR JUNK DRAWER!

·         Have a mini conversation before, yes before outings, birthday parties or play dates.  Do not wait until you are already upset and your
child is on the edge of meltdown mountain!

·         Look for exciting products such as workbooks, puzzles, Bad mood busters, motivational tattoos and much more!

Till’ next time… Happy Parenting!