The ABCs of Behavior – Resources
These resources, some created by Smarter Parenting, and others from other organizations, will help you to practice and implement this skill with your child.
Feel free to rewatch the skill video as many times as you need.
Research articles on the ABC’s of behavior
To further understand the ABC’s of behavior you can read the following articles.
University of Kansas has research on the ABC’s of behavior and why it’s important to be versed in the the ABC’s.
Collaborative Analysis also uses the ABC’s of behavior technique in helping parents understand how to change their child’s behavior.
Fun Activities & Games
The following activity can be used to help your child understand the concept of the ABC’s of behavior.
ABC chain and a twist
How to use this activity
This game allows you and your child the opportunity to discuss how situations or events a linked to their behavior and how that behavior leads to consequences. Using a situation where your child struggles, have them write down on three strips of paper the ABC’s of behavior—antecedent, behavior, consequence for that situation. In a twist, you can do the same activity but project it for a future time. Have the child write down the same situation but have them put down the desired outcome they hope happens on the strip of paper labeled consequences. The parent then fills in the behavior the child will need to have in order for them to reach that consequence. It’s a simple activity that requires very little time or expense but can yield a lot of positive interaction between parents and children. In another twist you can also do this for your child going throughout a morning, afternoon or day and show how all the behaviors and consequences are linked together.
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Downloadable Resources and Worksheets
Related Articles & Podcasts
Extra Help with Application of the ABCs of Behavior
Here are some helpful hints on how to use this concept for a specific situation.
What if my child pushes another child?
Siope talks through a situation a parent is bound to encounter and how to use the ABC’s of behavior.