The effects of a timer and mystery motivators on the independent dressing habits of a four year old girl.

Abstract

A beat the clock game consisting of gradual reductions in time limits and contingent mystery rewards were used to improve the independent dressing habits of a four year old girl. The study was done in the participant’s home with her mother as the researcher and primary data collector. Five days of initial baseline data indicated that it took on average 17 minutes for the child to dress in the morning and a mean of 10.4 prompts were required to get her to do so. After baseline data stabilized, a changing criterion design was used to gradually reduce the amount of time allocated dressing. On days when the child met pre-established criteria, she was allowed to color a square to possibly reveal an invisible letter. If the letter appeared, then she won a mystery prize. Results indicated that daily dressing time was reduced from 17 minutes to about five minutes and the number of required prompts dropped from 10 to about one per day. One and two-week, follow- up data showed partial maintenance effects. Implications for future research and practice are provided.