In mand training, how is praise used when a child effectively asks for a visible item?

In mand training, the goal is to teach a child to request items or actions that they want or need. When a child effectively asks for a visible item, providing praise is a crucial part of reinforcing their communicative efforts. Praising the child when they successfully make a request not only reinforces the specific behavior (the mand) but also encourages the child to continue using language to communicate their needs in the future.

By offering praise in conjunction with providing the item, it creates a positive association not only with the act of requesting but also with communication as a whole. This helps to build the child's confidence and encourages them to practice their language skills. Additionally, it emphasizes the effectiveness of their communication efforts, reinforcing the idea that using language leads to positive outcomes.

In this way, the combination of praise and the provision of the item enhances the learning experience and supports the development of functional communication skills.