I found this seminar to be very informative and practical. By having small numbers it was very personalised for the people in attendance to address specific issues and concerns. Dorothy Lenthall (Dot) was a very engaging speaker and more than willing to help. She also offered follow up assistance if required!
I can see myself using the skills taught and can't wait to practice them at home with my child and with children I teach. The use of real life examples and roll plays made it easy to follow the steps being explained.
I would happily attend future seminars by Behaviour Tonics and recommend them to peers and colleagues.
Thank you for the opportunity and the book!
— Kim
I went to the Bullying - Don't Just Stand There seminar on behalf of my partner who is very nearly due with our 2nd child. There were just 6 of us in the class, which was a nice cozy size to work with. Dorothy (Dot) is a really marvellous presenter, her delightful manner & clear way of expressing the topic from her obvious experience as a teacher & school councillor showing through. Dot queried each of us on our children & mentioned scenarios & topics that were relevant as we went through. She even performed some clear role play examples with those attending which really helped show the scenarios & how to deal with young children through to older teenagers. Even though we have a 4yr old, I could easily apply this session to her and see where to keep aware for warning signs & handling any bullying. It also really made me analyse my school life (almost like I've never done before) and helped me identify what was bullying & what was just school colleagues playing the fool. Her advise & knowledge is just wonderful - I'd recommend her lectures to anyone with children...not just high school age that are experiencing issues already. I also much appreciated her offer of us contacting her at any point if we had queries thereafter - 10/10 thank you!
— Wayne
Thank you for your guidance and advice in the formulation and implementation of our Whole School Behaviour Management Policy. As you well know, there are a number of students at our school who have particular needs in relation to their behaviour management. The 1,2,3 Magic program, simple as it is, has had a considerable effect not only on these students but also the whole school. The program has been implemented throughout this year with statistics showing a better than 50% reduction in the number of suspensions and acts of bullying. What the statistics don’t show is the improvement in the positive type behaviours – “the start behaviours”.
The guidelines of the program are simple and the sequence of consequences, both positive and negative, are clearly articulated. The clear structure takes away any opportunity for students or parents to say that their child is being treated unfairly.
The coaching sessions you offered and implemented with a number of staff were particularly powerful. Staff thought it was a great opportunity to have someone provide practical feedback about their approach to behaviour management in the classroom.
Thank you once again Brad for introducing us to 1,2,3 Magic and the continued support you have offered the school and our parents in the implementation of an effective tool to manage student behaviour. You have made a positive contribution to our school.
— Graham Dart, Principal, Hilton Primary School
My friend and I attended the course and found it great. I felt it gave me a plan so I was confident to tackle any situation that arises - tips for shopping, food etc are all invaluable. They delve enough into the psychology of development to inform but not overwhelm. Our partners were very resistant to attending the course but are both now full converts having been recently... my husband is now recommending it to people regularly! It's a great course, cheap for the quality of presentation and knowledge imparted.
— Anne
This course gave me the confidence to approach parenting without as much stress. I found my 21 month old was really starting to test me and I didn't know what else to do apart from yell and smack. The course gave me a strategy which I implemented immmediately with amazing results. You wouldn't think a 21 month old would listen or understand the 1,2,3 method but he did and now chooses his own consequences i.e. time out or do the right thing. I am surprised at how clever he has become in regulating his own thinking and behaviour and how it has maintained a respectful relationship between us both which keeps everyone much calmer and in control. The emotion coaching is the added bonus on this course and it is the most important part to growing your childs relationship to others and his understanding of himself. I found this invaluable at sleeptime in relating to him and how he must feel when playtime has ended for the day and sleeptime is neccessary. My husband and I have had success in calming him down from hysterics to normal breathing so he can sleep just by talking him through his emotions and what a new day brings (happy thoughts). Brad is excellent as a presenter and seems to spend much time with parents and schools practicing his methods and giving advice on individual cases by day and presenting as a trainer at night. His experience is demonstrated by his ability to answer any question you throw at him with intelligent, logical advice.
— Amy
1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching was fantastic. The course provided me with simple, practical information to help parent my children. I didn't realise a lot of what I was doing was fueling my child's behaviour but since adopting the 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching tips I have a much happier & calmer little boy who is quickly learning the boundaries and I'm a much happier mum than the screaming wreck I was turning into. I highly recommend this course to all parents and I'm looking forward to raising two beautiful, well adjusted boys.
— Briony
"I need help - my toddler is driving me crazy". When I said this to my child health nurse, she recommended 123 Magic and Emotion Coaching with Behaviour Tonics. The problems were mostly not doing what I asked e.g washing hands after the toilet, or taking ages to do it, tantrums and being mean to her baby brother. Since completing the course, I have had a different child. Or more realistically my child has a different mother. I have a greater understanding of the world from my toddler's point of view, which in turn means I am more patient and can let things wash over me that used to wind me up. I thought the 123 part of the course was great, but the emotion coaching was fantastic. Those stem statements are amazing. So simple and obvious but helpful in calming a toddler brewing a tantrum. Still had a few timeouts since Saturday, but they are very effective when I've had to do them, and they are much less frequent, and I’m mostly getting the results I want in a positive way. Both Brad and Linda were excellent facilitators, having a professional background in behaviour management and being parents of young children means they offer tried and tested, realistic and practical solutions. I thoroughly recommend this course to all parents.
— Pam
Ashburton Drive PS has used Behaviour Tonics throughout 2005. We felt that the professional development for staff, the follow-up in the classes and the consultations have been highly professional and worthwhile. The impact on the students has been positive and their behaviour has improved. Thanks
— Mark Pescud, Deputy Principal, Ashburton Drive Primary School
My husband and I attended the course and WOW what a change! I was finding myself grumpy much of the day because I was yelling at the kids so often for their misbehaviour, and feeling exasperated that nothing we were doing was working. Not what parenting should be like at all......And now, we can use these techniques and not get wound up, but instead to feel in control and be cheerful with the kids! Our 5.5 & 4 yr olds study the pictures of "rules" we put up on the fridge and have been so good at remembering them. The self-control our eldest is showing is amazing, I didn't know it was in him. I had some reservations about doing the whole time-out thing, but the way it's done and also the Emotional Coaching side of it has reassured me that it's not just a power/control thing, but truly has the feelings of the child in mind. I wish we had done this years ago! Bless you Brad!
— Kasia
It's a big statement but it's true - this course really did change my life! With 3 kids under 4 I was an emotional mess and had become a stressed out, yelling mother I didn't want to be. 1-2-3-Magic and Emotion Coaching gave me a plan and gave me back a sense of control. Now I talk less and act intentionally not emotionally when disciplining my kids and the difference in my children is astounding! I didn't realise how much I was feeding their escalating behaviour and how little I was listening to them. Now our interactions are calmer and the emotion coaching techniques have helped me to really listen to my kids and understand their point of view. My husband and I did the course together and the major benefit of the training is that we now use the same approach and respond to negative behaviour consistently, in fact I can't remember the last time we fought about how a discipline issue was handled. Do this course! I would recommend it to anyone!
— Naomi
I recently completed the 1-2-3 Magic course and although I'm at the start of my journey, I feel so much more confident to tackle the issues ahead. I have a better understanding of my childs behaviour and how to discipline him in a positive way. After the first day I learnt the most important message for myself - learn to ignore it. This alone has helped me stay calm in situations and not to stress about the little stuff. I would definitely recommend this course to all parents who are finding everyday parenting a battle. The course is affordable and has the advantage of running on Saturdays which suited me better than week nights. The presenter was friendly, informative and knowledgeable. It was a relaxing and informal course. Thank you! I will be back in the new year for a refresher - as parents I don't think we ever stop learning.
— Nicol
"I can't begin to thank Behaviour Tonics enough. Not only are my children sleeping throughout the night now, but their behaviour is far better 1.2.3 really is magic. We were both very skeptical about the programme but my children are living proof that it really can work. Life begins after 1.2.3. MAGIC...
— MB
Behaviour Tonics was introduced to our family from a friend after she noticed we were becoming quite distressed with the behaviour problems we were experiencing from our young son. We had heard of different types of parenting methods and were a little reluctant at first, however, after meeting with Brad for the first time were quite delighted that he was a normal everyday person who right from the beginning genuinely showed he cared. I found the 1-2-3 method a bit hard at first however, with Brad's continued support it soon became apparent that my son needed this and so did we. Brad was never pushy, never said his way was the right way, merely came into our life and adapted to our own family every day life. Obviously he was not about changing us but changing the way in which we handle certain matters. He is a genuine caring person who really helped us see things in a different light. My children really liked him even though at first they too were a bit apprehensive but even today ask "When is Brad coming back"? I would have no hesitation in referring Brad - Behaviour Tonics to anyone who may need assistance with their children. Parenting is not as easy as we think and sometimes having that independent person who is not emotionally involved can make us see things more clearly. Brad has been an inspiration to us and even today emails and calls us to see how we are going. He really is a wonderful person. Thanks for your continued support Brad, The Jones really appreciate it!.
— Jones Family
Were do I start, I would recommend the 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching to anyone with children. For someone that suffers from PND this programme has helped me with feeling more in control of my child by understanding his behaviour and when and how to discipline him. I have learnt how not to treat him like a little adult and encourage positive behaviour. We now have more opportunity to spend time playing together rather than me yelling and getting upset when he won't do anything I tell him. The workshop had both a serious and funny side with excellent examples shared by the facilitators and time to reflect on the previous week. Listening to the other parents discuss their wins and failures also eleviated the pressure for me as I felt I wasn't alone. I can now enjoy a shopping trip without a tantrum, cleaning up around the house is much more fun. Without a doubt I would recommend this programme to anyone and look forward to future workshops run by Behaviour Tonics.
— Sam
Thanks so much for all your help. All is going well so far, 1-2-3 Magic is my life saver!! Positive behaviour has been on the increase since Day 1! Parenting can be a challenge, but it can be done. Thanks for your advice.
— MT
