Bridges4Kids-123 Magic Review

8/8/2019 Bridges4Kids-123 Magic Review

1/5

Jackie D. Igafo-Teo ([email protected]) Bridges4Kids 3/10/2005 1 of 5

Bridges4Kids Review: 1-2-3 Magic

Includes: 1-2-3 Magic: Managing Difficult Behavior in Children 2-12,(video), More 1-2-3 Magic: Encouraging Good Behavior, Independence

and Self-Esteem (video), and 1-2-3 Magic: effective Discipline forChildren 2-12 (book)

Background: This review is based on a real-life trial of the 1-2-3Magic program by Bridges4Kids staffer Jackie Igafo-Te'o. Threechildren were used in this trial: Child #1, male, age 9, ADHD; Child #2,male, age 8, Autism, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorder; Child #3,female, age 6. Please note that the 1-2-3 Magic program does NOT

claim to help children with Autism and must be modified for childrenwith ADHD. I chose to use it with all three children by tailoring it foreach childs needs.

Motivation: Many challenging behaviors existed with these threechildren upon starting this program in late November 2002. Theatmosphere in our home had become chaotic at times and my husbandand I felt that it was time to take back the authority in our home.

It was my goal to do the following:

1. Manage the difficult behavior (stop behavior),2. Replace difficult behavior with more appropriate behavior (start behavior),3. Craft an effective discipline program, and4. Create an environment conducive to the childrens desire to cooperate.

The Children

Child #1: Male, Age 9, ADHD

Child #1 is a very intelligent, sensitive, loving and active child. He had started getting negative notes home from school each day forthings such as blurting answers out in class, being rude to his peers, and being a general know it all. At home we had experiencedthe same types of problems with the addition of aggression toward his siblings coupled with the need to argue about absolutelyEVERYTHING. This child had always been fast in that he was climbing out of his crib at the age of 9 months he was always into

something.


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some of the issues related to ADHD. He now remembers his homework, cleans his room, and even waters the cats! I am so veryproud and impressed with his effort. I knew that he could do it! Child #2 has a chart with some of the same basics like Brush Teethbut weve also incorporated tasks like pick up toys and take a bath. Some behaviors that would seem to be expected for most kidsbut for him they are much more desirable now because he understands that there is a reward coming. He can see his progress andknow that he will be able to buy something with his earnings. He amazes me he always has. Child #3 is still quite a challenge. We

have not experienced a whole lot of success with her. She is very obstinate and still ignores us (my husband is now on board with theprogram to help me). She still hits no matter what the consequences are.

Conclusion

I have decided that this program was definitely worth our effort and dedication. Child #1 and Child #2 are proof that it is magic whenyou set your mind to follow Dr. Phelans words. Child #3 is just going to take a little more effort. We have decided to sit down and re-

view the videos and re-read the book. We are going to make this work. Dr. Phelan gives options and suggestions for children just likeher. I am confident that we can see the same success with her as we have seen from our other two children.

Review

Dr. Phelans series 1-2-3 Magic and More 1-2-3 Magic are well worth the price, the effort and the time involved in making it allhappen. The only thing that I would change would be that I might have started the program years ago. I found the program to be easyto understand and even easier to follow. The program includes real-life scenarios and even some comic relief for those of who really

need to laugh. If youve been considering any type of behavior modification program, I would highly recommend that you pick up acopy of his video 1-2-3 Magic: Managing Difficult Behavior in Children 2-12 to test the waters. The only ways that you can go wrongwith this program are either a) to be unwilling to follow his simple instruction or b) to not purchase the program at all.

Good luck to anyone looking for something better. There is help out there.

Jackie D. Igafo-Teowww.bridges4kids.org


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SAMPLE ACTIVITY CHART START BEHAVIOR

Name ________________ Weekly Activity Chart Week Ending _______________

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Brush Teeth (a.m.)

Make Bed

Clean Up Room

Clean and Refill Cat Water Dish

Bring Home Homework &Homework Folder

Do Homework

Help With Dinner Clean-up

Brush Teeth (p.m.)

Prepare belongings for next day

(backpack, coat, clothing)

Timeouts (date/reason/amount) Allowance Losses/Gains (date/action/amount) Basic Info

Base = 2.50Max = 5.00

Each cellrepresents.05 toward

the max.

Documents

Bridges4Kids-123 Magic Review