Dr. Verduin, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist at the Institute for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Behavior Disorders at the NYU Child Study Center. He focuses on understanding and managing misbehavior, tantrums, and non-compliance in young children. In this interview, Dr. Verduin discusses two aspects of effective parenting: positive attention and clear expectations and consequences. He believes these two concepts lie at the heart of most research-supported parenting programs.

Dr. Verduin covers how and why parents should give positive attention for the 'good' behaviors their children are already exhibiting. He also discusses how and when positive attention should be withdrawn temporarily, through a technique known as active ignoring. He emphasizes how this pattern of responding to misbehavior not only improves child behavior but also strengthens the parent-child relationship.

Dr. Verduin believes parents must also be skilled at making expectations clear, setting appropriate limits, and following through with fair, consistent consequences when necessary. He discusses the importance of setting up children for success by giving good directions (e.g., directions that take the child's developmental level into account). He also reinforces the importance of giving fair consequences in an even, controlled manner so as not to provide stimulating, negative attention for misbehavior.