More 1-2-3 Magic

Thomas W. Phelan, a child psychologist with thirty years' clinical experience (and the father of a child with Attention Deficit Disorder) presents this follow-up tape to his hugely popular 1-2-3- Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (VL-12/90). While the previous title focused on what Phelan terms "stop" behaviors (getting children to stop being obnoxious), this title is about "start" behaviors, or how to get them to do non-obnoxious, positive behaviors. Common conflict-zones presented here are chores, homework, eating, and bedtime, with recommended solutions varying from a beat-the-clock game, or an accomplishments chart, to allowing natural consequences to take place, and a payment/docking system (which works wonders with my four-year-old niece). Phelan has been in the business long enough to turn a realistic eye on trends and fads. "The self-esteem movement is not based on research showing [that] kids in America have low self-esteem," he points out. "Your children are supposed to suffer moments of low self-esteem; it makes them try harder." Guidance counselors from coast to coast will shriek over that one, but Phelan's methods have been proven by hundreds of thousands of children over the years. High schools with child care vo-tech, public libraries, and universities with education programs should consider this and Phelan's earlier title must buys. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)