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Inspire Lasting Change: Scaling Small Steps For Big Growth
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
If you're anything like me, your mood has elevated a few notches thanks to the addictive and oh-so-energizing sunshine we've been consistently experiencing lately. It's amazing how much your mood impacts every aspect of your day—the choices you make, the conversations you have, everything from movement to melodies ... your mood significantly influences your behavior, wants, and needs. Praise God, spring is in the air; let the sunshine pour in. Let's get those moods moving in the right direction.
Speaking of mood and behavior, have you seen the Pixar hits Inside Out 1 or 2? If not, I would encourage you to add both movies to your watchlist ASAP 😊. Inside Out takes viewers inside Riley's mind, a young girl who feels all the feelings! The deep dive and close-up look at Riley's emotions are guided by Joy, who operates from "Headquarters," the control center within Riley's mind. In both movies, we see emotions come to life as young Riley navigates big changes in her world. At first, Joy tries to keep everything positive, pushing away Sadness. But as both stories unfold, Riley's true growth happens when she begins to recognize and process her emotions in small, meaningful steps—learning that sadness, struggle, and progress all work together in order to have a lasting impression and become dependable skills we can apply to future difficult situations.
While this idea applies to emotional development, it also applies to behavior and learning in general. Often, we expect children to make major improvements all at once—whether it’s better behavior, focused attention, or improved emotional regulation. However, just like Riley’s journey, real and lasting change happens through small, incremental progress.
Just as a child learning to read isn’t expected to jump from sounding out letters to reading full novels overnight, behavioral growth also requires small, step-by-step progress. This month, we'll take a look at how reinforcing small changes in your child's behavior is the foundation for growth and maturity.
Together, let’s learn how celebrating small wins, whether in the classroom or at home, can help foster big change. When we acknowledge and reinforce even the tiniest improvements, we help children believe in their own ability to grow; like Riley does in Inside Out.
Let’s embrace the power of small steps and set the foundation for lifelong confidence and success!
With A Grateful Heart,
Jodie Maddox, Parent Coach and Education Consultant
Small Steps To Big Change In Bad Behaviors
Neurodiverse and neurotypical children often encounter social and behavioral challenges along with learning difficulties. Traditional corrective approaches such as scolding, lecturing, or comparisons to others frequently reinforce negative behaviors instead of promoting growth. Just as reading difficulties are tackled with small, structured steps, behavioral progress should also be supported through gradual, manageable steps.
Lasting change occurs when children believe in their capacity to improve—not through shame, but through motivation, meaningful support, and realistic obtainable goals. By recognizing and celebrating small successes, we empower children and teenagers to develop the skills they need at their own pace.
An effective method to promote positive behavior in children is to recognize and reinforce minor improvements. This strategy, called "successive approximations” requires pinpointing a particular behavior, determining the smallest step toward correction, and acknowledging (verbally with authentic praise) when the child shows that improvement. This technique successfully steers children toward sustainable behavioral growth by prioritizing and acknowledging small changes.
Keep two things in mind when attempting to correct unwanted behaviors. First, big behavior changes begin with small, consistent adjustments, but reinforcing minor improvements doesn’t mean ignoring bad behavior. Unwanted behaviors are corrected through clear expectations, consistent consequences, and authentic positive reinforcement. By consistently modeling the desired behavior and recognizing small wins along the way, you will naturally create momentum for lasting growth. Remember, change takes time, and progress may be slow. When we fail to acknowledge small steps, we risk discouraging improvement before it has a chance to take hold. Setting realistic goals and gradually raising expectations makes success more attainable, helping children and teens build confidence and intrinsic motivation along the way.
Reinforcing Small Changes In Your Child’s Behavior, greatschools.org - Ray Levy PhD Updated: December 2, 2019
Recognizing even the smallest steps toward the desired behavior is crucial for encouraging growth. Once the child or teen feels successful and capable, you can gradually raise expectations, making success attainable, boosting confidence, and nurturing intrinsic motivation in children and teens, which is vital for their sense of agency.
S – Start with a small, obtainable behavior.
C – Communicate expectations clearly.
A – Assess minor progress rather than expecting perfection.
L – Lift up small improvements with recognition.
E – Encourage continued progress.
Example for younger children:
Start with small behavior - Rinsing off dirty dishes and putting them in the dishwasher after a meal.
Communicate expectation - “We’d like you to rinse off your dishes and put them in the dishwasher after you eat.
Assess for minor improvement - Putting dishes in the sink after a meal.
Lift Up - “I like how you took your dishes to the sink when you were done. Nice job, thank you for the effort!”
Encouragement - You’re on the right track, one more step and you've got it! Keep it up.”
Example for a teenager:
Start with a small behavior - Not raising your voice when frustrated.
Communicate expectations - We would like for you to start being aware of your tone and volume when expressing your frustration.
Assess for minor improvements - See how you’re talking to me now. That’s it 🙂 That’s how I want you to communicate with me 🙂. Perfect!
- Lift Up - Your tone is warm, inviting, and easy to listen to and support.
- Encouragement- That’s the kid I love talking to; thanks for your effort and attention to this; it means a lot to us.
Moving Moods and Encouraging Good Behavior To Shine Like the Sun
Here in the Midwest, the sun is finally making a consistent appearance, giving our moods a much-needed boost of energy after a long, cold winter. As we transition into spring, our bodies naturally crave movement—and so do our children.
Helping children regulate their behavior isn’t just about structured behavior plans and endless patience. We must also pay close attention to how much movement they’re getting. Encouraging kids to step away from screens and spend more time outdoors can have a profound impact on their ability to self-regulate.
Movement plays a crucial role in regulating mood and behavior by influencing the brain, nervous system, and body in several key ways:
Releases Endorphins – Physical activity triggers the release of "feel-good" chemicals that help reduce stress and improve overall mood.
Regulates Energy Levels – Movement helps balance energy, preventing restlessness or sluggishness that can lead to behavioral challenges.
Supports Brain Function – Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving focus, attention, and impulse control.
Encourages Emotional Expression – Physical play provides an outlet for frustration, anxiety, and pent-up emotions.
Strengthens Social Skills – Outdoor activities promote cooperation, teamwork, and positive peer interactions.
As the days grow longer and warmer, let’s take advantage of the season by encouraging more movement—whether it's playing outside, going for walks, or simply running and jumping. A little activity can go a long way in helping children regulate their emotions and behavior while fostering a sense of joy and well-being.
Check out these references and resources for more information about movement and brain health.
Mental Health Benefits of Movement, Doors of Hope, October 5, 2022, By Alix Orrick, LPC
Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress- Mayo Clinic Staff, August 3, 2023
Wondering What Ages I Work With?
Parents often ask me what age group of children I specialize in when it comes to parent coaching. The truth is—I work with parents of children of all ages, and I truly love the variety! From toddlers to teens to young adults, each stage brings unique challenges and opportunities for growth. Yes, I even work with parents navigating the complexities of parenting young adults—and it's some of my favorite work!
Ready to Feel Empowered?
I’m here to help. As a certified parent coach with 30 years of experience working alongside children, teens, parents, and educators, I bring both professional insight and compassionate support to every session.
In just 10 weeks, we’ll walk through a strategic and personalized process to help you discover your strengths, dream about what’s possible, design a new approach, and create a plan that truly empowers you and your family.
Let’s do this together!
Contact me today for your free consultation at jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com.
Exciting News: Direct Support Now Available for New Teachers
If you—or someone you know—are stepping into the classroom for the first time, transitioning into a new teaching role, or simply looking to refresh your approach, this is a valuable opportunity to start the school year with confidence and clarity.
This summer, I’m offering a New Teacher Bootcamp—a supportive and practical professional development series designed specifically for educators who are new to the classroom or seeking fresh, effective strategies.
Four live, 90-minute Zoom sessions
(Yes, you can bring your coffee and wear your comfy clothes.)
Together, we’ll pace the learning, examine proven strategies, and build the foundation you need for a successful school year—all while enjoying your summer.
What Participants Will Learn:
- How to create a year-long pacing guide
- How to write effective lesson plans aligned with student needs
- Practical, proactive behavior management strategies
- The importance of routines—and how to implement them successfully
- How to build strong relationships that support social-emotional learning
- How to plan and prepare for the first two weeks of school
- Professional communication strategies for working with parents and colleagues
- And much more
Let’s work together to make a meaningful impact—for teachers and students alike.
To reserve your spot or learn more, contact me at:
jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
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Jodie Maddox Coaching and Consulting
Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Website: jodiemaddoxicoach.com
Phone: (913)908-8220
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