Let's Make a Contract: A Positive Way to Change Your Child's Behavior

"Colorful and easy to implement, this book will be a resource for parents and guardians looking to try behavior contracting in their homes." —Library Journal When a child is struggling with a behavior challenge or wants to learn a new skill, a contract can be a surprisingly effective solution that leads to more peaceful family dynamics. To help families create contracts as a collaborative process, Let’s Make a Contract offers an innovative combination of how-to text for parents and illustrated stories for children.  Let’s Make a Contract describes a straightforward, four-step solution called behavioral contracting, a research-based technique with proven real-world success. Contracts are a tool that can benefit anyone, but they’re particularly useful for: Autistic children Children with learning or developmental disabilities Children who benefit from clear expectations and receiving positive feedback and rewards The book’s beautifully illustrated stories show a diverse group of families using contracts to address common problems such as: Completing chores or homework Getting along with siblings Becoming independent Achieving personal goals Questions after each story are designed to spark age-appropriate discussions.  Sample contracting forms and supporting materials are provided in the book and also on a companion website.

About the Author :
Jill C. Dardig is Professor Emerita of Education at Ohio Dominican University where she trained special education teachers for 30 years. During a sabbatical, Jill was a consultant at Centro da Vilariñha, a program that taught daily living and vocational skills to teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities, in Porto, Portugal. She has been a visiting professor at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan and presented workshops for teachers and parents in Europe, South America, and Asia. Dr. Dardig has written several books and other publications about and for parents including Involving Parents of Students with Special Needs: 25 Ready-to-Use Strategies (Corwin Press, 2008). Jill has an A.B. from Mount Holyoke College and an M.Ed. and an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts. William L. Heward is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology at Ohio State University. He has taught at universities in Brazil, Japan, Portugal, and Singapore and given lectures and workshops in 22 other countries. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and Past President of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Dr. Heward’s publications include co-authoring the books, Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed., Pearson, 2020) and Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education (12th ed., Pearson, 2022). Bill has also written for the popular market. Some Are Called Clowns (Crowell, 1974) chronicled his five summers as a pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns, the last of the barnstorming baseball teams. Bill has a B.A. from Western Michigan University and an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts.

Review :
Colorful and easy to implement, this book will be a resource for parents and guardians looking to try behavior contracting in their homes. Sharing the insights and skills needed to craft contracts between parents and children, so that both can get what matters to them, this pragmatic book draws on psychological, behavioral, and educational research to promote collaboration and clear communication. Through the storytelling, clear and straightforward examples provided, and ongoing emphasis on open and direct communication among families, Dardig and Heward have set the stage for their hope to become a reality, handing families the tools they need to improve their relationships through contracting. Approachable, accessible and deeply personal. For a clear, easy to understand (and implement) guide, look no further than this delightful book by two universally respected veterans of the child and family field. In Let’s Make a Contract, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward do an amazing job of presenting a step-by-step approach to help parents and children improve their lives through contracts. A Little Less of a Hot Mess invites readers on a path of self-development that is desperately needed in motherhood and it's been such a treat to have this resource as a mom. Let’s Make a Contract absolutely inspired me. The day after reading it, I renewed my commitment to apply these principles with my nonverbal son and saw immediate results. Wow, Dardig and Heward have crafted a terrific resource for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone who spends time with kids. In a captivating story-telling style, Jill Dardig and Bill Heward have masterfully crafted practical guidelines for developing and implementing behavioral contracts....this technique...becomes a fun learning opportunity for any family member to succeed at changing a behavior or attaining a personal goal. This book touches my heart. With tenderness and respect, Drs. Dardig and Heward invite families to embark on a journey of intentional and shared growth. They provide important and practical guidance to help parents and children navigate possible actions, expectations, and consequences. If you are a parent, read this book today. Humorous vignettes bring to life a straightforward roadmap for how to establish healthy communication, goal setting, and positive behavior in all family members.