Parent Education Program (PEPA): Six Steps to Treat Childhood Disobedience

The objective of the PEPA programme is to train parents, and other usual caregivers, of children aged three to six to cope childhood disobedience in order to prevent this behaviour from becoming a problem. The programme is developed in six steps: 1. Observe the child’s behaviour, 2. Pay attention to the child, 3. Avoid labelling the child, 4. Educate with authority without falling into authoritarianism, 5. The programme manages to improve parenting skills and reduce disobedience and other problematic child behaviours.

Xavier Méndez is Professor at the University of Murcia, Specialist in Clinical Psychology, Tutor Professor at the Centro Asociado de Elche and the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED). Guest professor at several Spanish and foreign universities. Author and coordinator of numerous books on psychological treatment in children and adolescents, putting special emphasis on, Programa FORTIUS: Fortaleza psicológica y prevención de las dificultades emocionales (FORTIUS Programme: Psychological strength and prevention of emotional difficulties) (Pirámide, 2013), Miedos y temores en la infancia (Scares and fears in children) (Pirámide, 2012), Manual del psicólogo de familia (Family psychologist manual) (Pirámide, 2012), Terapia psicológica (Psychological therapy) (Pirámide, 2012), El niño que no sonríe (The child that does not smile) (Pirámide, 2011), El niño miedoso (The scared child) (Pirámide, 2011), Terapia psicológica con niños y adolescents (Psychological therapy with children and adolescents) (Pirámide, 2011), Depresión infantil y adolescente (Depression in children and adolescents) (Klinik, 2011), Cómo dar alas a los hijos para que vuelen solos (How to give our children wings so they can fly by themselves) (Pirámide, 2010), ¿Depresión o felicidad? (Depression or happiness?) (Nova Galicia, 2010). Director of the collections “Ojos Solares” (Solar Eyes) and “Guías para Padres y Madres” (Guides for Mums and Dads). Currently, his research and clinical interest is centred on positive psychology and on the prevention and treatment of emotional problems in children and adolescents. In 2014 he was awarded the AITANA Prize for his contribution to clinical psychology for children and young people.