Attention as a Reinforcer for the Behavior of Young Children in Early Education Classrooms

Abstract

Although it is clear that attention is an important variable in the acquisition and maintenance of behavior (appropriate and inappropriate), further investigation into the characteristics of attention that affect its reinforcing value is warranted. The purpose of this study was to a) determine the types of attention typically delivered in the classrooms within a local early childhood education center, b) determine potential relationships between teacher attention and child behavior in early childhood education classrooms, and c) evaluate the reinforcing effectiveness of different types of attention. The amount and type of attention typically delivered in preschool classrooms and potential relationships between teacher attention and child behavior were identified through descriptive analyses of three early childhood education classrooms. The reinforcing effectiveness of a given type of attention on levels of activity engagement was evaluated with 14 young children. Types of attention assessed included verbal attention, physical attention, and facial expressions.