Course 2: Reactive Strategies for Parents & Caregivers

Reactive Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Parenting and caregiving can be challenging, especially when children or teens act out in ways that are frustrating, attention-seeking, or just plain annoying. Reactive Strategies for Parents and Caregivers is a practical, interactive course designed to help you respond calmly and confidently in these moments. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies to manage challenging behaviors, avoid power struggles, and guide children and teens toward more positive choices.

Learning Modules

◆ Pivot

Some behaviors from children and teens can be loud, dramatic, or just plain annoying—but that doesn’t always mean they need a big or immediate response. In this module, you’ll learn about a category of behavior known as junk behavior, a term coined by parenting expert and behavior analyst Dr. Glenn Latham. Junk behavior isn’t harmful or dangerous—it’s often just frustrating, attention-seeking, or designed to push your buttons.

By learning to spot junk behavior, you can save your energy for the moments that matter most. This module will help you understand why children and teens sometimes act out in these ways, and what you can do to avoid getting pulled into unhelpful back-and-forths. You’ll explore real-world examples and practice using a simple and effective tool—the Pivot tool—to help you respond calmly, confidently, and with purpose.

By the end of this module, you’ll feel more in control during challenging moments and better equipped to guide your child or teen without reinforcing behaviors you want to see less of and promote appropriate behaviors instead.

◆ Non-Reactive Response

This module introduces the Non-Reactive Response—a calm, simple way to respond without getting pulled into arguments. You’ll learn how to use quiet, neutral responses that show you’re listening, but without making a big deal out of the challenging behavior.

By practicing this tool, you can help calm situations before they get worse, avoid power struggles, and gently guide your child or teen toward better choices—all while keeping your cool and staying connected.

◆ Interrupt & Redirect Behavior

This module introduces the Interrupt & Redirect Tool. It’s a simple, clear way to stop a behavior in the moment and guide your child or teen to something better. You’ll learn how to interrupt unwanted behavior calmly, show a more helpful behavior instead, and give a positive consequence to reinforce the better behavior once it occurs.

By practicing this tool, you can handle challenging moments quickly and effectively—without yelling, threats, or power struggles. You’ll also learn how to tell when it’s the right time to teach something new and when it’s better to wait.