Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
7 Principles for a Self-Driven Child: Motivate, Build Connection, Reduce Stress
Virtual Event
Program Takeaways:
Kids thrive when they feel a healthy sense of control over their own lives; autonomy is a cornerstone of resilience, motivation, and long-term well‑being.
Parents are most effective when they act as consultants, not bosses—offering help without force, using calm language, and supporting decision-making.
Calm is contagious. A parent’s non-anxious presence helps regulate a child’s stress response and strengthens their ability to cope.
Pressure and over-involvement undermine motivation. Kids develop internal drive by practicing responsibility, making choices, and solving problems themselves.
True success is not defined by college admissions but by the brain and life skills kids develop—engagement, relationships, meaning, and emotional regulation matter more.
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Win a FREE copy of the new best-selling workbook by Ned Johnson and Dr. William Stixrud. Join the conversation Wednesday, Nov. 5 at noon or 7 p.m. Spread the word!
In this groundbreaking event Stixrud and Johnson will offer cutting-edge brain science on how you can actively help your child sculpt a mind that is resilient and ready to take on new challenges on the road to success. Caregivers will learn the essential skills and real-world tools that all adults need to communicate calmly with their kids, foster autonomy, keep anxiety under control and develop a positive long-term outlook on life.
Stixrud helps kids gripped by anxiety or struggling to learn. Johnson is a motivational coach who runs an elite tutoring service. A few years ago, they started noticing that high-performing kids were coming to them acutely stressed and lacking motivation. The two experts discovered that the best antidote to stress is to give kids more of a sense of control over their lives.
Stixrud is a member of the adjunct faculty of the Children’s National Medical Center. He holds a faculty appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the George Washington School of Medicine. Johnson is a highly sought-after educational coach and author of “Conquering the SAT.” He is an expert in study skills and test anxiety. Both men have been quoted in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and Scientific American.
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