Books by Ronald Mah, M.A., Ph.D., L.M.F.T.

 

Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood: Positive Discipline in PreK-3 Classrooms and Beyond Description: "Teachers of young children will feel validated by this book that explains the issues underlying behaviors that challenge us on a daily basis and shows how to address them effectively." -Xiomara Sánchez, NBCT, Dual Language Pre-K Teacher, Darwin Elementary School, Chicago, IL "Covers the breadth of children's behaviors that teachers are likely to see, and describes the major motivators for them very well. The examples and scenarios are highly interesting, meaningful, and transferable to classroom practice." -Gail Hardesty, Early Reading First Mentor, Chicago Public Schools, IL Increase your understanding of children to guide and shape behavior in positive ways! Teachers are masterful in balancing the diverse backgrounds, social-emotional needs, and academic goals of children in their classroom-that is, if they can only get them to sit still, pay attention, keep their hands off of each other (or out of the fish tank), or a host of other effective aggravations! But creating a classroom of attentive learners takes more than swift discipline-it involves helping children make good behavioral choices by developing their self-control rather than controlling them to make the choices we prefer. Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood offers insight into understanding why certain children behave in certain ways, so teachers can react appropriately to individual behaviors and needs. In an engaging, conversational tone, the book covers: Reconciling the different behavioral expectations of families and schools Applying timeout effectively Motivating children immediately and powerfully Establishing and following through with boundaries Developing behavior incentive plans that work Identifying early signs of depression, anxiety, grief, and special needs Through informed practice, teachers can bring about positive behavioral change and healthy, productive development.	To order online from Corwin Press,  Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood: Positive Discipline in PreK-3 Classrooms and Beyond
The One-Minute Temper Tantrum Solution with  Tantrum Igniters, Tantrum Styles, & Types of Tantrums Description: "Mah's new book is fantastic! It simplifies the different types of temper tantrums into a manageable approach for educators and child care professionals." —Kelly Van Raden, Career Advocate for Early Care and Education, Child Care Links Learn what ignites tantrums and how you can prevent them or lessen their impact! In clear and understandable language, this invaluable resource explains what's happening when a child throws a tantrum or exhibits other disruptive behaviors. The book offers specific guidance and directions to help teachers meet the challenge of a temper tantrum when it occurs while also increasing their awareness of their own expectations, beliefs, and reactions to children’s aggressive behaviors. In The One-Minute Temper Tantrum Solution, Ronald Mah examines developmental, situational, physical, and temperamental factors that can trigger acting-out behaviors and explores four types of tantrums—manipulative, upset, helpless, and cathartic—that can appear as verbal and/or physical outbursts. With a wealth of examples, vignettes, and easy-to-implement strategies that help educators avoid long-term negative consequences for children, this accessible book: Offers interventions for managing each type of tantrum Explains how tactics based on distracting, ignoring, or shaming can lead to escalation Addresses tantrums that may be related to disabilities Includes a chapter dealing with misdiagnosed tantrums and how to respond appropriately Based on sensitive, caring principles that nurture and support all children, this practical book can also be used alongside Mah's Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood, which covers issues underlying harmful behaviors.	To order online from Corwin Press,    The One-Minute Temper Tantrum Solution with  Tantrum Igniters, Tantrum Styles, & Types of Tantrums
Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion, PreK-5, Empowering Children in Inclusive Classrooms Description: "This is the first text I've read that connected specific disabilities to bullying. The material is informative, relevant, and thought-provoking. A useful tool in understanding the evolution of a bully and the necessity of early, appropriate intervention.” —Karen Thomes, Early Childhood Special Educator Indian Island School, ME Help students with special needs develop skills for meeting the challenges of bullying! Children with challenges can encounter difficulties in navigating their journeys within mainstream classrooms. This book focuses on the vulnerabilities of youngsters to be bullied, especially those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Asperger syndrome, and gifted abilities, and also discusses the tendencies for these children to become bullies. Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion, PreK–5 deepens teachers’ understanding of common challenges and provides an intimate and realistic view of how children with special needs can become easy targets for bullies. The book also shows how adults can inadvertently facilitate development of victim behavior in children or contribute to the development of bully personalities. With an abundance of tried-and-true techniques for helping children manage emotions and build on their strengths, this book examines: Bullying styles, including classic male and female models How teachers can prevent and stop bullying Methods for intervening early before a negative dynamic progresses into middle or high school Strategies for working with overprotective parents A “90-Second-a-Day Self-Esteem Prescription Plan” to improve children’s self-views. Ideal for both teachers and counselors, this book increases the sensitivity and expertise that educators need to help children with special needs become more resilient and experience success at school.	To order online from Corwin Press,    Getting Beyond Bullying and Exclusion, PreK-5,Empowering Children in Inclusive Classrooms