Behavioral Momentum

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] In this video, we'll demonstrate an effective strategy for building behavioral momentum. Behavioral momentum helps students transition from easy tasks to more challenging ones, increasing their engagement and success. Behavioral momentum is an instructional strategy based on the principle that first presenting easy, already mastered requests can increase the likelihood that a student will follow through with a more difficult or non-preferred request. The teacher first presents a series of tasks the student is likely to complete successfully, reinforcing each. Immediately after, the teacher presents a more challenging task. This approach helps build confidence and engagement by creating a pattern of successful responding before introducing a more difficult demand. - Match. Good job. Okay, Donovan, do this. (claps) Okay. - [Narrator] To build behavioral momentum, the teacher begins with an easy task Donovan can complete successfully. She says, "Donovan, do this," while modeling clapping. Encouraging Donovan to imitate the simple action and gain confidence. - Do this. Match. - [Narrator] Incorporating behavioral momentum is a key strategy when teaching new or challenging skills such as Donovan learning to match items. By providing easy, high-probability tasks that Donovan can complete successfully, the teacher builds motivation and engagement. (gentle music)