The Nurtured Heart Approach recognizes that intense, challenging children act out in negative ways because they desperately crave the energy and connection they receive when we respond to their outbursts. When children misbehave, we become much more animated, our voices rise and we become intensely involved. As this scenario keeps repeating itself, children experience that they must act out in order to keep receiving these powerful levels of attention and connection. The Nurtured Heart Approach teaches us how to consistently give children intense energy and connection when they are exhibiting positive qualities. Moreover, this approach gives us the vision to see these positive qualities which we have been heretofore unable to recognize. It also provides us with the language to express our recognition in ways our children can’t help but accept.