Insights

Host of the KindlED podcast, Kaity Broadbent, rethinks “behavior problems” with Dr. Stuart Ablon, showing why kids struggle when skills lag and how collaboration—not control—creates durable change. They walk through Plan B step-by-step, with a classroom role play that turns disruption into progress.

Key topics covered:

• Kids do well if they can, as a core mindset
• Relationship quality as the strongest predictor of change
• Plans A, B, C are defined with pros and cons
• Plan B has three steps: empathy, adult concern, and inviting solutions
• Externalizing the problem to reduce defensiveness
• Real-time role play: talking during math
• Testing solutions against both concerns for realism
• Building intrinsic motivation via mastery, autonomy, and relatedness
• Strategic use of Plan C for prioritization
• How adults regulate themselves to avoid power struggles
• Resources for learning more about Think Kids and Collaborative Problem Solving