1 2 3 magic

1 2 3 magic is an American program for managing children's behaviour. In Australia, we can read the book or attend workshops.

We attended a course run through Parentzone in Victoria and found it valuable.

The first session is about "stop" behaviours - the ones you want to stop, that is, such as fighting, whinging, answering back. Although we'd tried time out and so on with Emily (then 4.5), it didn't seem to fully work. At the course we learnt a few little things and saw a big improvement in her behaviour that week.

We went back to the second session with heaps of questions, and came away with even more confidence. However, the rest of the second session wasn't as useful. That session was about "start" behaviours - eg tidy your room, go to bed, set the table. The instructor skimmed the surface on this topic and the handouts were actually of more use. I felt really sorry for the woman who only made it to the second session.

I think the program is great (once you get past any American hype!) and with a different instructor, session two is probably good, too.

I have also read about half the book and found that good to read, but it had less impact on Emily's behaviour. Both of us being at the course helped, too, as we could both learn the stategies and implement them together.

Biggest thing I learnt from the course: don't reason with or cajole them. Count them out without any other words. It works wonders!!

Added:  Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Reviewer:  Tash Hughes
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