Parenting Without Punishment: Making Problem Behavior Work for You - Softcover

Maag, John W

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0914783785 ISBN 13: 9780914783787

Publisher: Charles Press Pubs(PA), 1996

Synopsis

Parents spend so much time and energy trying to make their children behave, you would think they would have a deliberate, thought-out system for accomplishing this goal. Most parents, however, lament that not only do they not have a pre-determined plan, but that the method most of them use -- punishment -- doesn't seem to do the trick and it is very unpleasant to administer. It seems that the majority of parents simply don't know any other way to manage bad behavior in their children, so they resort to what their parents did with them--traditional punishment. In his groundbreaking new book, Dr. John Maag explains that the problem with punishment is that it simply doesn't work. It is always contingent on a child's bad behavior, it is based on principles of negative reinforcement and it is always reactive--in other words, a recipe for disaster. In its place, Dr. Maag suggests that parents try his method a proactive approach that focuses on emphasizing and encouraging a child's good behavior rather than trying to decrease his bad behavior. In addition, Dr. Maag suggests using such bad behavior as a focal point for determining which behaviors need to be changed. Although this might seem obvious, it s much more complicated than one would expect. Neither radical nor far-fetched, Maag's system, based on traditional applied behavior analysis techniques, is completely sensible and effective. Step-by-step directions, practical examples, fill-in charts and questionnaires show parents how to effectively manage a wide range of problem behaviors in their children, from minor problems to depression and attention deficit disorder (ADD) Maag's method stresses consistency and positive reinforcement that will shape a child's behavior far more profoundly than will punishment. Filling a long-standing need, Parenting Without Punishment will help parents and teachers promote responsible, independent, creative and secure future adults.

About this title

About the Author

John W. Maag, PhD is Associate Professor of Special Education and Communication Disorders at University of Nebraska at Lincoln. A licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Maag specializes in the treatment of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. He is the father of three children.

From the Back Cover

Parents spend so much time and energy trying to make their children behave, you would think they would have a deliberate and thought-out system for accomplishing this. However, most parents lament that they do not have a pre-determined plan, that their "methods", mostly punitive in nature, are unpleasant to administer and they're not even sure that punishment does any good. The problem is that the majority of parents don't know any other way to manage difficult behavior in their children, so they resort to what their parents used with them - traditional punishment. In his new book, Parenting Without Punishment, Dr. John Maag says that parents who use punishment don't get the results they want because, as a form of discipline, punishment simply does not work. The problem with punishment, Maag explains, is that it is always contingent on bad behavior and it is always reactive. Maag suggests a proactive approach that is based on increasing good behavior, instead of trying to decrease bad behavior. In addition, instead of trying to avoid all aspects of bad behavior, Maag uses it as a focal point for determining which behaviors need to be changed. Based on traditional applied behavior analysis techniques, Maag's system is strict but compassionate. Step-by-step directions, practical examples, fill-in charts and questionnaires show parents how to effectively manage a wide range of problem behaviors in their children, from minor problems to depression and attention deficit disorders (ADD). Maag's approach uses consistent and positive techniques that shape a child's actions much more profoundly than punishment. Filling a longstanding void, Parenting Without Punishment will help parents andteachers promote responsible, independent, creative and secure future adults.

Reviews

Parenting shelves typically contain dozens of books offering endless techniques for behavior modification. This book may be the one that will help parents sort out the worthwhile from the drivel. Maag (Univ. of Nebraska) offers a strict and compassionate approach to behavior, arguing that punishment per se is almost never effective. The trouble is that we expect the good and punish the bad, which only leads to confrontation. Maag deals with how to use reinforcers, star charts, time outs, and contracts, concluding that self-monitoring by kids leads to self-control. Finally, he looks at ADD and depression as behavior problems that parents can deal with rather than as psychiatric labels attached to kids. Maag brings years of working with exasperated parents to his work. Refreshingly full of common sense and well worth reading.?Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Charles Press Pubs(PA)
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0914783785
• ISBN 13: 9780914783787
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 260