WELCOME
Raising children is a remarkable journey filled with both joys and challenges.
One of the most profound joys of parenthood is bearing witness to a child's growth and development. From the first tentative steps to the most triumphant moments of independence, caregivers are privileged to be a part of each milestone. The joy of a child's laughter, the sparkle in their eyes, and the warmth of their hugs create a treasure trove of unforgettable memories.
Yet, amid the joys, there are challenges. Caregivers are responsible for supporting healthy and effective skill development by cultivating good sleep habits, providing effective toilet training, supporting the development of independent home skills and routines, managing challenging behavior, fostering healthy eating habits, promoting appropriate and rewarding social skills, and teaching children about community safety, among other responsibilities. Sometimes, the effort it requires to support children through common rites of passage can be taxing: sleepless nights, unending messes and cleanups, constant care and support, managing tantrums and other behavior issues, along with the relentless pace of supporting healthy, safe, and independent habits and routines can be exhausting. Not knowing what to do when these concerns arise can also cause parental stress and anxiety.
Fortunately, there is a research-backed approach that can empower caregivers with effective strategies to address common childhood concerns. Nearly six decades of research on learning and behavior have yielded effective approaches to managing concerns while supporting healthy skill development. By understanding the principles of behavior and learning outlined in the science of behavior analysis, caregivers can navigate the intricate landscape of child-rearing with love, patience, resilience, and, ultimately, success.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a researched, science-based approach to helping people develop skills that will benefit their individual lifestyles. Although ABA is often used to help people with disabilities learn new skills, it is also a highly useful approach for caregivers to apply with children of all abilities and skill levels.
Common Childhood Concerns
Although each child is unique, there are common childhood concerns that many parents encounter on this journey. Below, find a list of these concerns as well as information on how to resolve them!
Sleep Issues
Sleep-related concerns, such as difficulties falling asleep or frequent night waking, are common among children. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a calming sleep environment, and promoting healthy sleep hygiene can contribute to better sleep patterns. Click here for behavioral strategies to support healthy sleep in children.
Toileting Concerns
Difficulties related to toileting can arise before toilet training is initiated, during the process of toilet training, and in the case of toileting regression after training is completed. Some of these difficulties include toileting resistance or refusal, ongoing accidents despite positive toileting experiences, trouble with initiating independent toileting, and persistent overnight accidents. Click here to learn more about behavioral strategies to support successful toilet training.
Home Routines
From hanging up one’s coat when coming inside to brushing teeth, children can learn to follow routines related to their daily life at home. Independence in these routines can help improve a child’s sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem as well as improve overall household functioning and decrease caregiver stress levels. Click here for tips on establishing healthy and productive independent routines with children.
Behavioral Challenges
Behavioral issues, including tantrums, defiance, or aggression, are a normal part of childhood development. Understanding the causes of behavioral issues, setting clear expectations, and employing positive reinforcement can help shape adaptive, appropriate, and safe behavior. Click here to find out more about research-informed methods for addressing behavioral concerns.
Mealtimes & Nutrition
Many caregivers grapple with concerns about childrens’ nutrition and eating habits. Picky eating, food preferences, or struggles during mealtimes are common, and it is hard to know how to prevent and address these problems while maintaining a social and supportive mealtime. Click here to find out more about behavioral approaches to addressing concerns with nutrition and eating habits.
Social Development
Social development is a crucial aspect of childhood. Concerns may arise if a child exhibits shyness or other problems that prevent functional communication, difficulty following directions, resistance to tolerating delays or necessary denials, or underdeveloped social and friendship skills. Specific strategies can be applied to help enhance a child’s social development in individual and group settings. Click here to find out more about research-informed approaches to addressing concerns with social development in children.
Community Safety
As children grow older and gain independence, it becomes imperative for them to learn community safety skills. ABA-based approaches to preventing abduction, eliminating gun play, preventing poisoning, and more specific safety concerns have been disseminated through research. Most of these approaches rely on behavioral skills training (BST), an empirically-validated package involving instructions, modeling, role-play, and feedback. Click here to learn more about BST and other strategies to support the development of community safety skills.
Have A Question?
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
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