Why Do They Do That? Promoting Development to Reduce Challenging Behaviors

Toddlers are curious, energetic, and full of joyful discoveries—but their intense emotions, impulsive behavior, and constant drive to explore can also leave adults feeling overwhelmed. This session explores what drives toddlers’ negative behaviors, the link between challenging behaviors and typical development, and five powerful strategies to engage toddlers and reduce challenging behaviors.

Objectives — participants will be able to:

1) Explain toddler behavior through a developmental lens, including how brain development and emerging self-regulation contribute to behaviors adults find challenging.

2) Identify the underlying reasons for common toddler behaviors such as impulsivity, grabbing, pushing, and emotional outbursts.

3) Apply research-informed, practical strategies to reduce power struggles, support emotional regulation, and increase cooperation and engagement.

Thursdays (Optional): 1-hour live coaching with Raelene

• Check in: What is working? What is not working?
• Expanded content and shared learning
• Problem-solving session to apply the concepts to your environment
• Question and answer time

Evidence-Based Strategies to Set Effective Limits and Get Toddlers to Follow Them!

This interactive session focuses on evidence-based prevention strategies—small shifts adults can make to support learning, connection, and clear limit-setting. Participants will explore practical approaches to reduce power struggles and increase toddler cooperation in group care settings, including a Positive Behavior Intervention Support process from the National Pyramid Model.

Objectives:

1) Explain two key developmental reasons toddlers engage in challenging behaviors and match each to an evidence-based strategy.

2) Identify a simple shift adults can make to increase toddler responsiveness while maintaining connection and reducing power struggles.

3) Identify and implement effective limit-setting and communication strategies that strengthen adult-child relationships.

Thursdays (Optional): 1-hour live coaching with Raelene

• Check in: What is working? What is not working?
• Expanded content and shared learning
• Problem-solving session to apply the concepts to your environment
• Question and answer time

Effective Guidance Strategies for Persistent Frustrating Behaviors

Even with prevention strategies in place, some toddler behaviors—throwing, kicking, climbing, refusing direction—continue to show up in intense, persistent ways. This advanced session explores eight guidance strategies for situations where foundational supports alone aren’t enough, helping toddlers regain control, build self-regulation, and re-engage in learning.

Objectives:

1) Identify appropriate guidance strategies to address persistent behaviors while maintaining safety, connection, and developmentally appropriate expectations.

2) Apply targeted guidance strategies that address the underlying need or skill deficit contributing to a behavior.

3) Use a Positive Behavior Intervention Support process to problem-solve a persistent behavior and develop an individualized response.

Thursdays (Optional): 1-hour live coaching with Raelene

• Check in: What is working? What is not working?
• Expanded content and shared learning
• Problem-solving session to apply the concepts to your environment
• Question and answer time

Communicating Concerns and Challenges with Infant and Toddler Families

Talking with families about challenging behaviors or developmental concerns can feel uncomfortable—even with the child’s best interests at heart. This final session provides relationship-centered strategies to help you remain calm, confident, and connected during sensitive conversations, turning difficult discussions into opportunities for trust and partnership.

Learning Objectives — participants will be able to:

1) Identify strategies to build trust and set the stage for families to remain open to feedback and concerns about their child.

2) Demonstrate communication strategies and specific language for navigating conversations about challenging behaviors calmly and constructively.

3) Apply relationship-centered strategies to transform tense conversations into opportunities for collaboration and stronger partnerships.

Thursdays (Optional): 1-hour live coaching with Raelene

• Check in: What is working? What is not working?
• Expanded content and shared learning
• Problem-solving session to apply the concepts to your environment
• Question and answer time