Which type of chaining would best aid a child with a short attention span?

Forward chaining is particularly effective for a child with a short attention span because it allows the child to master individual steps of a task starting from the beginning and moving sequentially to completion. This approach reinforces the child's ability to focus on initial steps and achieve immediate success.

By beginning with the first step, the child can receive reinforcement as soon as they complete that step, which can maintain motivation and attention as they gradually learn to perform the entire task. This method helps in building confidence and sustaining attention, as they are not overwhelmed with too many steps at once. Forward chaining is ideal for tasks that can be easily broken down into discrete steps, allowing for clearer focus and immediate feedback, which is particularly advantageous for a child who may struggle with maintaining attention over prolonged tasks.

In contrast, total task chaining might demand the child to engage with all aspects of a task, which can be overwhelming for someone with a short attention span. Backward chaining focuses on completing the final step first, which may not effectively engage a child who lacks the patience or focus to view the task as a whole. The suggestion that the child should not engage in chaining entirely disregards the benefits of systematic behavioral training and fails to provide an opportunity for learning through reinforced interactions.