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Effects of a Preferred Stimulus and Mother’s Attention on Infant Behavior During Tummy Time

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Abstract

“Tummy time” is an activity for infants to develop muscle tone; however, it often evokes crying and non-compliance. The current study investigated two interventions for an infant to a) increase elevated head behavior, and b) decrease negative vocalizations. The study compared the effects of a preferred stimulus with or without maternal attention on infant behaviors during tummy time. The addition of maternal attention produced more positive outcomes:

  • The science of behavior analysis can be used to treat a broad range of socially significant behaviors like infant behavior during tummy time.

  • Preference assessments can be used with infants to identify potentially reinforcing stimuli.

  • The continuous provision of a preferred stimulus during tummy time may help infants to increase positive behaviors and decrease problem behaviors.

  • Parent attention may have an added benefit to a treatment package for typically developing infants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Queens College 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY, 11367, USA

    Rika Ortega & Daniel M. Fienup

Authors
  1. Rika Ortega
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  2. Daniel M. Fienup
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Correspondence to Daniel M. Fienup.

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Ortega, R., Fienup, D.M. Effects of a Preferred Stimulus and Mother’s Attention on Infant Behavior During Tummy Time. Behav Analysis Practice 8, 66–69 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-014-0032-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-014-0032-1

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